Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) Director Michael Reese today announced the appointment of Kevin Bovenkamp as the new Assistant Director of Health Services. He will join the DOC team August 11, 2025.

Mr. Bovenkamp began his career in corrections in 2005, as the Director of Organizational Development with Washington State Department of Corrections (WA DOC) and more recently served as the Assistant Secretary of WA DOC’s Health Services Division from 2013 to 2019.

Mr. Bovenkamp brings more than 20 years of experience working in corrections and in health care services, with 7 years of that time in correctional health services settings. He is passionate about public service and deeply committed to equity, accountability, and quality care for justice-involved populations.

Before joining DOC, Mr. Bovenkamp served as the Assistant Secretary of Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. There he oversaw statewide healthcare operations, behavioral health services, and habilitative supports. As part of this role, Mr. Bovenkamp directed healthcare staffing initiatives, succession planning, and leadership development that strengthen team performance and built organizational resilience.

In addition to completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice at Seattle University, he has a certificate in Executive Management from University of Washington, and a Master of Science degree in Health/Correctional Health Care Administration from George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

“I am excited to welcome Mr. Bovenkamp to the Oregon DOC team. I am confident he will make a significant impact, both for Health Services and for DOC,” stated DOC Director Michael Reese.

The Oregon Department of Corrections Health Services provides health care to adults in custody (AICs) at each institution. State and federal laws ensure that AICs are entitled to health care during incarceration. Healthcare services to AICs must be comparable to health care provided in the community. This means all types and levels of health care must be provided in a clinically appropriate manner by properly credentialed professionals in settings equipped and designed for the delivery of health care. Health care includes medical, dental, psychiatric, and mental health services.

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HOOD RIVER, ORE. – Hood River County Sheriff Matt English reported that his Office will be operating with reduced capacities across several of the programs that are part of or managed by the agency.  “I feel very lucky to be part of a community that so overwhelmingly supports the work that our teams do day in and day out”, English said.  In 2020, Hood River County passed a public safety levy, to ensure many of the Sheriff’s Office services were provided to county residents, to include twenty-four-hour patrol coverage, investigators for serious crimes, emergency management, and court security.  Voters renewed the levy last November by over 73%. 
 

English said in the twelve and a half years he’s been Sheriff, the office has ensured transparency and fiscal accountability, working within the allocated budgets.  Regarding the public safety levy, English said it was never intended to fund the entirety of Sheriff’s Office operations.  “The commissioners at the time explored a myriad of options to include a special taxing district but ultimately the rate was thought to be too high and not palatable to voters.  At the rate the commission approved, it was understood that there would be a need for continued support from the county’s general fund, grants, and funding streams from the federal and state governments.”  He went on to say, “Unfortunately, some of those sources aren’t coming to fruition this budget cycle.  The levy funded services remain intact but the resulting cuts from other revenue sources will be seen and felt by our community.” 
 

The Sheriff’s Office Parole and Probation Division lost two positions, equivalent to 40% of their workforce, after the legislature declined to allocate the requested level of funding that would have covered the true cost of services, as defined by the “actual cost study” that is mandated to be completed every six years.  The staffing layoffs equated to one Parole and Probation Deputy and the Work Crew Supervisor, ending the longstanding program after thirty years of existence. 
 

In 1995, the legislature passed SB 1145, which eliminated Parole and Probation as a state function and turned it over to counties, with the commitment that the state would provide adequate funding to counties to operate the programs but did not require the legislature to incorporate any or all of the “actual cost study”.  The Sheriff’s Office division has seen a staffing reduction of 50% since 2022 and the loss of a contracted peer mentor and drug and alcohol counseling.  Several counties in the state supplement Parole and Probation programs with additional dollars but they are under no statutory obligation to do so.  Historically, Hood River County has not provided additional funding to supplement the state’s allocation.
 

In May, the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) advised their law enforcement grantees that there would be a 30% reduction in funding due to their inability to seek a federal grant through the United States Coast Guard, as a result of Oregon being designated a sanctuary state.  To maintain the Marine program, the full-time deputy assigned to that program will now split their time between that program, the Off Highway Vehicle Enforcement (OHV) program and the USFS program, reducing the Marine division’s capacity.  This resulted in the loss of a half-time deputy sheriff position that covered the United States Forest Service (USFS) Contract, reducing the office’s overall response capacity.
 

Since 2021, the Sheriff’s Office has managed a federal grant through the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) that has provided funding and oversite for a peer support team, in-house mental health counseling, and wellness activities for all law enforcement agencies in Hood River and Wasco Counties, as well as the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office.  The focus on supporting first responders’ wellness has been at the forefront of priorities for the last several years and the LEMHWA grant played a critical role in ensuring the trauma responders endure, was addressed.  The grant brought more than $300,0000 to the region during the last two grant cycles.  This year, the Office was set to onboard Sherman, Gilliam and Wheeler Counties, but learned recently that they were ineligible to apply, due to Oregon’s Sanctuary State status.
 

Locally, the Sheriff’s Office overtime budget was reduced by about 1/3.  Overtime is an unfortunate reality of public safety work, particularly for the Sheriff’s Office, where it is utilized to cover shifts on a regular basis.  Nationally, Oregon has ranked at the bottom of the list for public safety staffing ratios; making overtime a necessity to ensure the public has first responders available to respond to calls. 
 

Additionally, Hood River County’s Search and Rescue funding is reliant on monies funneled through the USFS as part of Title III of the Secure Rural Schools Act.  Outside of donations, SRS funding is the only source to support the county’s heavy search and rescue call volume. SRS has not been re-authorized by Congress.
 

Further, Hood River County’s Emergency Management is partially funded by the Emergency Management Program Grant (EMPG).  Emergency Management coordinates mitigation, response and coordination to major incidents and disasters like wildfires.  The role of the Emergency Manger (EM) in Hood River County has grown significantly over the last decade with local governments and stakeholders relying on the EM and much of the supportive grant funding that results from the work being done.
 

Sheriff English said of the funding shortfalls, “Despite the current setbacks, I remain committed to working with the county to find solutions that will help ensure the Sheriff's Office can continue to deliver the services our constituents expect.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

VANCOUVER, WA — July 8, 2025

PLEASE NOTE, THE EVENT IS ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 2. THE ORIGINAL RELEASE HAD THIS DATE LISTED AS A FRIDAY

The Clark County Historical Museum invites the public to a fascinating afternoon talk, “Hong Kong Cinema and Singapore—The Cinematic Connection between Two Cities during the Cold War Era (1950–1965),” on Saturday, August 2 at 2:00 p.m. at the museum (1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660). This program is free and open to the public.

Presented by scholar and filmmaker Dr. Grace Yan-yan Mak (麥欣恩), the talk will explore how geopolitical shifts in the 1950s redefined the landscape of Chinese-language cinema. With China increasingly isolated during the early Cold War period, Hong Kong emerged as a new cinematic hub, replacing Shanghai and expanding its cultural reach across Asia.

As British colonies, Hong Kong and Singapore were linked not only through political structures but also through a shared identity as part of the “overseas Chinese” world. This relationship was vividly imagined on screen, with Hong Kong films depicting Singapore and Malaya with familial warmth and symbolic closeness. Dr. Mak will delve into this “cinematic cultural ring,” which connected the two cities through shared audiences, institutions, and artistic visions.

Drawing from her extensive research and film analysis, Dr. Mak will examine key works by MP&GI (Cathay) and Kong Ngee Studio, exploring how Singapore and Malaya were represented in Hong Kong films, how this network evolved and eventually frayed, and how these portrayals helped shape Hong Kong’s cinematic identity during the Cold War.

About the Speaker:
Grace Yan-yan Mak (麥欣恩) is a Hong Kong–born scholar, writer, and filmmaker currently serving on the board of the Northwest China Council. She holds a Ph.D. in Chinese Studies from the National University of Singapore, with a research focus on Chinese-language cinema and modern Chinese literature. Dr. Mak co-founded Banyan Tree Movies and has taught at universities in Hong Kong and South Korea. Her academic and creative work includes over twenty scholarly articles, several screenplays, and the novel Black Box of Dreams. She is a former apprentice to acclaimed Hong Kong director Tsui Hark and a member of the Hong Kong Film Critics Society.

For more information about this event or the museum’s programming, visit www.cchmuseum.org or contact Sammuel Hawkins at outreach@cchmuseum.org.

On July 22, 2025, the Astoria Police Department will have extra officers on duty participating in a pedestrian safety enforcement program in conjunction with Oregon Impact.  This enforcement effort will focus on drivers that fail to yield to an officer who is acting as a pedestrian that is crossing at marked and unmarked crosswalks.  Additionally, officers will be watching for vehicles that pass another vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.  Officers will be enforcing other traffic violations that are witnessed during this enforcement period.  The fine for failing to stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian or for passing a vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian is $265.00.

Some of the crosswalks that officers could be focusing on are Marine/17^th, Klaskanine/7^th, Marine/6^th, Irving/16^th, and Lief Erikson/37^th. 

The goal of the Astoria Police Department in participating in this enforcement is to increase the safety of all pedestrians and drivers in and around the City of Astoria.  The enforcement project is paid for with money awarded to the Astoria Police Department by Oregon Impact and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

If you have any questions about this project, feel free to contact Sergeant Thomas Litwin at the Astoria Police Department at 503-325-4411.

Vancouver, Wash. – At Monday’s regular Council Meeting, City Council adopted the Rental Registration Program ordinance to improve the quality and safety of rental housing in Vancouver.

“The program offers wide-ranging benefits for the entire community. Tenants will gain safer, more habitable homes, with clearer channels for repairs and relocation assistance when needed. Landlords will have better access to educational resources and guidance, making compliance easier and more transparent,” said Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “This program reflects our commitment to tenant well-being and responsible rental property ownership.”

Starting January 2026, all long-term rental property owners will be required to register their units each year and pay a $30 per-unit fee. This fee will be waived for the first year for units registered within the first 90 days of the program launch. Rental registration will require submission of unit-level data, such as address, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, year built, and whether the unit is income-restricted. Inspections will begin in mid to late 2027 after the registration system is established and shaped with community input.

The ordinance also establishes a tenant relocation fund to help lower-income households move from uninhabitable units. Certain types of housing, such as short-term rentals, shelters, hospitals and owner-occupied units, are exempt from the requirements, and fee waivers are available for qualifying income-restricted properties.

The City will spend the next several months preparing for the new rental registration program. This work includes creating easy-to-follow instructions, setting up a simple online registration system, and reaching out to known landlords and property managers. The City will work with community members to design a fair and efficient inspection process. The City is rolling out the program in phases—first focusing on building a full list of rental properties and funding support for tenants, followed by regular inspections to ensure habitability standards.

Once launched, the program will provide more complete and accurate rental housing data, which will inform targeted housing policy, improve communication with property owners, and support fast assistance with public health or safety concerns.

Preserving quality rental housing through registration and inspections has been a community priority in Vancouver, identified in multiple housing plans since 2016. Development of this program began in early 2024 with a community stakeholder workgroup that included housing providers, property management companies, tenants, legal experts, rental housing associations and housing advocates.

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Rainier – The Oregon Heritage Commission will meet July 27 in downtown St. Helens for tours and July 28 at the Rainier Historical Museum and online for the Business Meeting.
 

The agenda for the business meeting includes:

• A presentation by a member of the Made by Us Youth250 bureau on initiatives related to connecting Gen Z and history organizations and historic sites for the 250^th commemoration of the country in 2026
• Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon
• Recommendations for projects funded by the Oregon Heritage Commission’s FY26 Cultural Trust Partner grant
• Annual overview of grant projects funded by Oregon Heritage grant programs
• Update on the 2026 Oregon Heritage Plan process

This meeting is open to the public and there is an opportunity at the beginning of the meeting for public comment. Public comment can be made in person, online, or written submission. For online attendance, registration is required. To view the full agenda, register for the virtual meeting, or learn more about public comment options, visit here.
 

Special accommodations for the meeting – including translation services – may be made by calling (503) 986‐0690 or erly.Spivey@oprd.oregon.gov">Kimberly.Spivey@oprd.oregon.gov at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting.
 

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.
 

There are currently two open Governor appointed positions, one representing the Portland region and one representing the Southern Oregon region.
 

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

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Press Release   
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
July 15, 2025

GREATER VANCOUVER CHAMBER OPENS NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2025 FIRST CITIZEN AWARD

Prestigious honor to recognize an individual whose leadership, volunteerism, and philanthropy have made a lasting impact in Southwest Washington. 

VANCOUVER, Wash. – The Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC) is pleased to announce it is accepting nominations for the 2025 First Citizen Award, presented by HAPO Community Credit Union. This prestigious accolade honors a distinguished individual whose long-standing commitment to their profession and community has created a meaningful and lasting impact in Southwest Washington.  

Now in its 86th year, the First Citizen Award celebrates individuals who, over the course of their career, have consistently demonstrated leadership, service, and/or civic engagement - individuals whose business, volunteerism, and philanthropy have not only elevated their industry but also improved the lives of others. The First Citizen is someone who has dedicated decades to serving first. 

“This award is about more than accomplishments; it’s about the heart behind the impact. Each First Citizen nominee should represent the spirit of Southwest Washington: generous, driven, and deeply invested in the well-being of their neighbors," said John McDonagh, President & CEO of the Greater Vancouver Chamber. 

Community members, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to nominate outstanding individuals who exemplify the values of the First Citizen Award.  

To submit a nomination, please visit https://form.jotform.com/250825922066054. The deadline for nominations is Thursday, August 14, 2025. A distinguished panel of community leaders will evaluate the submissions, assessing each candidate's impact, achievements, and overall contributions.  

The recipient of the 2025 First Citizen Award will be honored during the Greater Vancouver Chamber’s Business & Leadership Awards, presented by Riverview Bank, this fall. This signature event will gather hundreds of business professionals, civic leaders, and community members to recognize and celebrate excellence in leadership across the region. 

The Business & Leadership Awards are made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor Riverview Bank and supporting sponsors HAPO Community Credit Union, Washington Trust Bank, PeaceHealth, Alaska Airlines, Maddox Industrial Transformer, Perkins & Co, The Columbian, BBSI, Opsahl Dawson, and MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions. 

For more details about the Business & Leadership Awards, the nomination process, award criteria, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Chamber at Chamber@VancouverUSA.com" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 167, 181); text-decoration-line: none;">YourChamber@VancouverUSA.com or visit https://www.vancouverusa.com/business-leadership-awards/. To explore past First Citizen Award honorees, visit https://www.vancouverusa.com/business-leadership-awards-winners/.    

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About the Business & Leadership Awards

Introduced in 2012, the Business & Leadership Awards honor outstanding businesses and individuals who exemplify the Greater Vancouver Chamber’s motto of "Moving Business Forward." For over a decade, the southwest Washington business community has celebrated excellence and leadership through these prestigious awards.  

About the Greater Vancouver Chamber

SW Washington’s largest business organization, the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC), with nearly 1000 members, has been Moving Business Forward in southwest Washington for over 135 years through business advocacy, community building, education, and creating visibility for our members. The Chamber is a supportive alliance of diverse member businesses, individuals, and organizations, working together toward long-term business prosperity. The GVC is the heart of Clark County’s business community, advocating for sound, sensible and dynamic policies that ensure a vital economic climate and prosperity for all. For more information, please visit VancouverUSA.com. 

Portland, OR — From July 27–August 9, Oregon and Washington educators are invited to visit the Japanese American Museum of Oregon, Lan Su Chinese Garden, Maryhill Museum of Art, Oregon Historical Society, and Portland Chinatown Museum for free as well as take part in educator-focused events and tours.

Educators can let staff at each institution’s admissions desk know that they are an educator to access free admission (no school identification required).

Local cultural attractions are powerful resources for educators, offering resources and programs to support educators’ work in classrooms. From professional development workshops to state standards-aligned curriculum and lesson plans to digital resources, educators can access a wide range of tools to enhance their teaching at no cost.

Educators are encouraged to take advantage of these free admission weeks to learn about the unique resources available at each institution as well as participate in special events and tours created specifically for teachers.

Participating Institutions & Program Schedule:

Please note that while some institutions request reservations to attend these programs, any educator who would like to attend will be welcomed.

Japanese American Museum of Oregon

411 NW Flanders Street

Portland, OR 97209

Note: Use the entrance around the corner on 4th

Hours: Wednesday–Saturday, 10am–4pm; Sunday, 11am–4pm

Lan Su Chinese Garden

239 NW Everett Street

Portland, OR 97209

Hours: Monday–Sunday, 10am–6pm

Immersion School Educator Tour

followed by resource sharing and tea 

Friday, August 1, 1pm–2:30pm

Lan Su Chinese Garden Educator Tour

followed by resource sharing and tea 

Friday, August 1, 1pm–2:30pm
 

Please register here if you plan to attend either tour.

Maryhill Museum of Art

35 Maryhill Museum Drive

Goldendale, WA 98620

Hours: Monday–Sunday, 10am–5pm (from March 15–November 15)

Damien Gilley Vista Vista Exhibition Opening

Saturday, August 9, 2pm to 4pm

Damien Gilley Artist Talk

Saturday, August 9, 3pm

Please register here if you plan to attend the artist talk.

Oregon Historical Society

1200 SW Park Avenue

Portland, OR 97205
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10am–5pm; Sunday, 12pm–5pm

Oregon Historical Society Educator Tours and Resources Overview

Wednesday, July 30, 10am–12pm

Thursday, August 7, 10am–12pm

Please register here if you plan to attend one of the tours.

Portland Chinatown Museum

127 NW Third Avenue, Portland
Hours: Thursday–Sunday 11am–3pm

Portland Chinatown Museum Educator Tour

Friday, August 8, 11am–12:30pm

Please RSVP to info@portlandchinatown.org with your first and last name if you plan to attend.

A note from the Portland Art Museum: PAM will be sitting out this year’s Educator Free Weeks as the Museum undergoes a major expansion and renovation project, however, educators are encouraged to visit on the August 7 Free First Thursday. PAM looks forward to welcoming educators to the grand opening celebration November 20–24 and to free professional development programs throughout the school year.

About the Oregon Historical Society

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

MULTNOMAH COUNTY JUDGE REDUCES ANARCHIST RIOTER CONVICTION 

July 11, 2025

case#  21CR26369

Portland, OR- Despite objections from the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, Judge Angela Lucero reduced the charges on July 11, 2025, against a man who participated in a series of anarchist riots and who attacked the Democratic Headquarters in Southeast Portland. 

In 2020 and 2021, Darrell Kimberlin was involved in a coordinated series of anarchist riots that vandalized multiple locations in Portland. These locations included the Democratic Party of Oregon Headquarters, Umpqua Bank, Chipotle, and various other locations. The vandalism during these riots caused hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage.

During the pendency of the case, Mr. Kimberlin doxxed law enforcement officers by putting their information on the internet. This included their personal information together with photographs of the officers and other family members. 

On November 22, 2022 Kimberlin pleaded guilty, pursuant to a plea agreement, to the crimes of Felony Riot and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree for his involvement in these acts. He agreed to accept a sentence that included $49,755.74 in restitution to the organizations and businesses that Kimberlin damaged.

On July 11, 2025, Judge Lucero decided to reduce his conviction from a Felony to a Misdemeanor. “While the court has discretion by statute to reduce a class C felony to a class A misdemeanor, this reduction fails to reflect the immense damage caused by Mr. Kimberlin,” said DA Nathan Vasquez.  

During his plea in 2022, the DA’s office moved to dismiss other charges against Kimberlin to secure a felony conviction. The reduction by Judge Lucero means Kimberlin will be able to ask that all of the charges be set aside, or expunged, later this year.

Correction: The Oregon State Police learned this morning that Logan James Irwin did not succumb to injuries sustained from being struck by a vehicle on Sunday, July 6, 2025, near Tangent. Mr. Irwin is currently receiving medical care at a local hospital. OSP has contacted Mr. Irwin’s family to express our deep regret for the reporting error and any additional pain it may have caused. We sincerely apologize for this error.

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Correction: Headline corrected to Linn County.

Linn County, Ore. 8 July 2025- On Sunday, July 6, 2025, at 4:09 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash on Highway 34, near milepost 6, in Linn County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a pedestrian, Logan James Irwin (24) of Tangent, entered the eastbound lane and was struck by an eastbound Subaru outback, operated by Edward Thomas Peterson. 

The pedestrian (Irwin) was declared deceased after being transported to an area hospital. 

The Subaru operator (Peterson) was reportedly uninjured and remained at the scene.

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

OSP was assisted by the Linn County Sheriff's Office and ODOT.

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

Vancouver, Wash. – The Recording Office in the Clark County Auditor’s Office has updated fees for some documents as a result of changes approved by the Washington State Legislature in House Bill 1858 and House Bill 1498. The effective date for the new fee structure is July 27, 2025.

Marriage licenses are increasing from $72 to $172. The $100 increase will fund a co-responder program for domestic violence incidents.

House Bill 1858 eliminated exemptions for documents which transfer the ownership or trusteeship of loan documents. The recording fees for the first pages of those documents now will be $301.

More information on the Auditor’s Recording Office is on the county’s website at https://clark.wa.gov/auditor/recording-overview.

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, William Carl Jordan, died the evening of July 13, 2025. Jordan was incarcerated at Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) in Salem and passed away in the infirmary while on hospice care. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified.

Jordan entered DOC custody on June 6, 2024, from Washington County with an earliest release date of September 17, 2026. Jordan was 68 years old.

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of approximately 12,000 men and women who are incarcerated in 12 institutions across the state. While crime information is public record, DOC elects to disclose only upon request out of respect for any family or victims.

OSP is a multi-custody prison located in Salem that houses approximately 2,000 adults in custody. OSP is surrounded by a 25-foot-high wall with 10 towers. The facility has multiple special housing units including disciplinary segregation, behavioral health, intermediate care housing, and an infirmary (with hospice) with 24-hour nursing care. OSP participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including the furniture factory, laundry, metal shop, and contact center. It provides a range of correctional programs and services including education, work-based education, work crews, and pre-release services. OSP was established in 1866 and, until 1959, was Oregon’s only prison.

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ORCA adds more than 15,000 affordable homes in the pipeline since its roll out

PORTLAND, Ore. - More than 200 resource pool nurses working at Legacy hospitals in Oregon and Washington overwhelmingly voted to join the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) July 8. Nurses in Legacy’s resource pool “float” to hospitals throughout the Legacy system to fill vacancies in specialty units including hospital emergency departments, operating rooms, family birth centers, pediatric care centers, behavioral health departments and more.

Resource nurses’ unique role as “super-subs” allows them to serve diverse communities across Oregon and Washington and help solve both hospital-specific and systemwide care issues.

“I chose to work in the resource pool so I can go wherever I’m needed most,” said Taeryn Gelowicz, Legacy resource pool nurse and ONA member. “My resource pool colleagues are some of the most skilled, caring and flexible nurses I know. We treat the patient in front of us like they’re our own mom or dad. But given the growing uncertainty in healthcare, we knew we needed a voice in Legacy’s decisionmaking to protect what makes our group special and ensure our patients aren’t left behind.”

As they prepare to bargain a first contract with Legacy executives, nurses plan to prioritize adequate staffing, safe workplaces, increased transparency, and provider input into corporate decisionmaking to ensure patients’ needs come first in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

“Nurses are the most trusted professionals in the United States because we’ve always fought for what’s best for patients. That’s what unionizing is. A bunch of workers coming together to make sure our patients get the best care and nurses get the tools and support we need to provide that care to anyone who needs it,” said Tristan Drury, Legacy resource pool nurse and ONA member.

Tuesday’s vote is the latest in a series of union elections at Legacy. In February, more than 2,300 nurses at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, and Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center voted to join ONA in a historic win for workers. ONA also represents registered nurses at Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center, Legacy Silverton Medical Center and Legacy outpatient clinics; nurses and health professionals at Legacy Unity Center for Behavioral Health; and advanced practice providers at Legacy hospitals, Legacy-GoHealth urgent care clinics and women’s clinics.

“I love my job, my coworkers and my patients. I chose to unionize because I want a voice to protect the things that I love,” said Jeff Poulsen, Legacy resource pool nurse and ONA member. “Our ability to fill in the gaps and make sure patients don’t feel the pain of nurse shortages is essential. Looking around you can see healthcare is changing locally and nationally. Without a union, we don’t have a say in how those changes impact our patients or our staff. We unionized to make sure the people patients trust with their lives have a say in how we do our work.” 

Legacy resource pool nurses filed union authorization cards with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on May 21, 2025. 

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Salem, OR – Enterprise Information Services (EIS) has partnered with InnovateUS to launch a series of courses to train state of Oregon employees on the responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) as part of our commitment to building an informed and capable public service workforce. InnovateUS, a leading provider of no-cost training, has developed courses that are specific to public sector employees and use practical examples and exercises to train on artificial intelligence and responsible use.

“Generative AI is vastly developing, and this training aligns with the work of the State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council that recognized the future of government depends first and foremost on people, supported by technology” said Terrence Woods, Oregon State Chief Information Officer. “This opportunity will provide our workforce with the knowledge and skills to use generative AI in their work responsibly, securely, and effectively.”

The training is a step towards enabling agencies to educate their teams, so they can appropriately utilize the modern capabilities of GenAI, while also mitigating its potential issues. It supports the goal of being more effective stewards of public resources.

Generative AI technology offers several benefits to both employees and the public by enhancing government efficiency, improving customer service, streamlining processes, and empowering the workforce with the skills and tools necessary to improve the lives of Oregonians.

Media Contact: Isabel Anderson

Telephone: (206)640-5388

Isabel.anderson@redcross.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Red Cross issues advice to stay safe during extreme heat

Heat can be dangerous for anyone. Stay hydrated, stay cool and stay connected.

[July 15th, 2025] — Experts are warning that dangerously high temperatures are headed to Portland over the next couple of days. The American Red Cross urges everyone to take three critical actions to stay safe:

1. Stay hydrated by drinking a cup of water every 20 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.
2. Stay cool by spending time in air-conditioned places. If your home is too hot, go to a mall, library or cooling center.
3. Stay connected by checking on others and asking for help if you need it. Make sure pets have access to fresh water and shade.

“Knowing what to do to protect yourself and loved ones from extreme heat can save lives,” said Priscilla Fuentes, Chief Executive Officer of the Cascades Region. “We’re asking everyone to check on friends and neighbors, especially older adults, people with chronic conditions, outdoor workers and athletes. You could make all the difference by sending a text, making a call or knocking on their door.”

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO Remind everyone to drink water, even if they don’t feel thirsty. Aim for a cup of water every hour and encourage people to avoid sugary, caffeinated or alcoholic drinks. Babies should be breast-fed or bottle-fed often. Fewer wet diapers or darker urine can be signs of dehydration.

Encourage athletes and outdoor workers to take breaks in the shade. They should drink a cup of water — or a sports drink — every 20 minutes.  

Help those without air conditioning find a safe place to go like a mall, library or cooling center. They can also take cool showers or baths to help cool off. Remind people to wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes in light colors.

Never leave a child or pet alone inside a parked car, and make sure pets have access to fresh water and shade.

HEAT ILLNESS SIGNS Anyone can become ill during extreme heat if their body can’t cool down properly. It’s critical to act fast as some types of heat illness can be deadly.

Heat cramps are signaled by heavy sweating and muscle pain. Take action by stopping what you’re doing, resting in a cool place and drinking a cup of water — or a sports drink — every 20 minutes. If you feel sick to your stomach, pause drinking. Get medical help if cramps last more than two hours or you have heart problems.

Heat exhaustion is signaled by heavy sweating, weakness, cool and clammy skin, muscle cramps, dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting. Take action by stopping what you’re doing, resting in a cool place and drinking a cup of water — or a sports drink — every 20 minutes. Loosen your clothes and place a cool wet cloth on your body. Get medical help if you’re vomiting, don’t feel better in an hour, or if you have heart or kidney problems.

Heat stroke is a deadly condition signaled by high body temperature, rapid heartbeat, confusion, headache, dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting. Call 911. Move to a cooler place, remove extra clothing and use a wet cloth or a cool bath to cool down. If possible, sip a sports drink or water. 

IF THE POWER GOES OUT When a heat wave and a power outage happen at the same time, it can be even more dangerous. Stay in air conditioning either at home or at a mall, library or cooling center. Keep an ice-filled cooler stocked with food, water and medicine, so that they don’t spoil. More information is available here.

Finally, download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for real-time weather alerts and heat safety information. Content is available in English and Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find both apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

About the American Red Cross: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media. 

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At 7:21 PM on 7/14/2025 the Vancouver Fire Department was dispatched to the report of a house fire at 7516 Virginia Ln in Vancouver, WA.  The first fire engine arrived just 5 minutes later to find a single-family home on fire.  Vancouver Fire responded with eleven units and forty firefighters.  Crews worked quickly and had the home searched and fire extinguished in less than twenty minutes.  The homeowner was present at the time 911 was called and no injuries were reported.  The red cross was called to the scene as one person was displaced.  The Vancouver Fire Marshals office was on scene to investigate.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A West Linn, Oregon man has been charged with illegally possessing machine guns, unregistered short-barreled rifles, and firearm silencers.

Lucas Christopher Perillo, 41, has been charged by criminal complaint with unlawful possession of a machinegun and unlawful possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle or silencer.

According to court documents, on June 17, 2025, FBI agents executed federal search warrants on Perillo, his residence, and his vehicle. Agents located and seized 36 firearms, including three firearms converted with machine gun switches and 13 unregistered short-barreled rifles, firearm silencers, and other firearm parts. 

Machine gun conversion devices, sometimes referred to as switches, are small attachments used to convert firearms from semi-automatic to fully-automatic.

On July 11, 2025, Perillo was arrested in West Linn. He made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Oregon State Police. It is being prosecuted by Parakram Singh, Assistant U.S. Attorney 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.

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JOINT RELEASE

Extreme Heat Advisory: Health and Safety Guidance from State Agencies 

As temperatures surge across Oregon,  the National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Watch, Heat Advisories and Extreme Heat Warnings for parts of Oregon, Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) are urging all residents to take precautions against the dangerous heat affecting the region. Heat of this intensity poses serious health risks for everyone—particularly older adults, children, people with disabilities, outdoor workers, pregnant people, and those without air conditioning.

Erin McMahon, Director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, emphasized that one of the most serious risks during extreme heat is how easily people underestimate its effects over time. “It’s not just about a single hot day,” she said. “The real danger comes from the ongoing impact of several days of high temperatures without a break, which can have deadly consequences.” She noted that during the July 4–7 heatwave last summer, 11 people in Oregon lost their lives—making it one of the most lethal weather events in the state’s history. “Heat is deadly,” she warned, “and we must respond to it with the seriousness it demands.”

Recognize and Respond to Heat Illness

Heat-related illnesses can progress rapidly and impair judgment. Understanding the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke is critical: 

Learn more at: bit.ly/45XeNlS 

Stay Cool and Safe 

• To locate cooling resources near you, call 211 or visit 211info.org/summer-and-heat-related-resources/. 
  • 211info’s core operating hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., but hours may be extended during emergency incidents, including extreme heat.
• If you need help getting to a cooling location, call 211 to discuss transportation options.
• Check on family, neighbors, and those living alone. 
• Hydrate consistently—don’t wait until you feel thirsty and limit sugary and alcoholic drinks. 
• Dress in loose, light-colored, breathable clothing. 
• Take lots of cold showers or seek out air-conditioned buildings or cooling shelters during the hottest part of the day. 
• Keep windows closed during the day and open at night (unless wildfire smoke is present). 
• Never leave pets or children in vehicles. 
• Limit physical activity—even athletes should limit their activity during extreme heat. 

For medical emergencies or concerns about someone at risk, call the Police Non-Emergency number in your area for a welfare check—or 911 if immediate care is needed. Your actions can save lives. Stay cool, stay safe and stay connected.

Remember the Increased Fire Danger and Energy Conservation 

High temperatures heighten the risk of wildfires: 

• Respect burn bans 
• Use fireworks cautiously 
• Report unsafe conditions 

Oregonians are also urged to conserve energy: 

• Avoid running major appliances during peak demand hours (morning and evening) 
• Help prevent power outages and grid strain 

Report excessive pricing of essential goods or lodging to the Oregon Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Services: doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection 

Stay Informed 

• Sign up for emergency alerts at ORAlert.gov 
• Follow National Weather Service (NWS) updates: Heat Risk Page. 

Heat Alerts Made Simple

• East of Blue Ridge: Alerts kick in at slightly higher temperatures

• West of Blue Ridge: Thresholds are a bit lower due to cooler climate conditions

En Español

Aviso de calor extremo: Orientación sobre salud y seguridad de las agencias estatales 

Mientras suben las temperaturas en Oregon, el Servicio Nacional de Meteorología (National Weather Service – en inglés) ha emitido una Alerta de calor extremo (en inglés), Avisos de calor (en inglés), y Advertencias de calor extremo (en inglés) para partes de Oregon. El Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregon (Oregon Department of Human Services, ODHS por sus siglas en inglés), y el Departamento de Manejo de Emergencias de Oregon (Oregon Department of Emergency Management, OEM) piden a todas las personas que viven en el área que se cuiden por el calor fuerte que hay en la región. El calor de esta intensidad es un riesgo grave para la salud de todos – especialmente los adultos mayores, los niños, las personas con discapacidades, las personas que trabajan al aire libre, las personas embarazadas y las personas que no tienen aire acondicionado.  

Erin McMahon, directora del Departamento de Manejo de Emergencias de Oregon, indicó que uno de los riesgos más graves durante el calor extremo es lo fácil que es subestimar sus efectos acumulativos. “No se trata solo de un día caluroso,” dijo. “El verdadero peligro proviene del impacto continuo de varios días de altas temperaturas sin alivio, lo cual puede tener consecuencias mortales.” Señaló que durante la ola de calor del 4 al 7 de julio del verano pasado, 11 personas en Oregón perdieron la vida, convirtiéndola en uno de los eventos meteorológicos más letales en la historia del estado. “El calor es mortal,” advirtió, “y debemos responder con la seriedad que exige.”

Aprenda a reconocer y actuar a las enfermedades por calor 

Las enfermedades causadas por el calor pueden avanzar rápido y afectar el juicio de las personas. Comprender los síntomas del agotamiento de calor y el golpe de calor es muy importante:  

Obtenga más información (en inglés): bit.ly/45XeNlS  

Manténgase fresco y seguro 

• Para encontrar recursos de enfriamiento cerca de usted, llame al 211 o visite 211info.org/summer-and-heat-related-resources/.  
• El horario principal de atención de 211info es de lunes a viernes de 8:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m., pero el horario puede extenderse durante los incidentes de emergencia incluyendo el calor extremo. 
• Si necesita ayuda para llegar a un centro de enfriamiento, llame al 211 para platicar sobre las opciones de transporte. 
• Asegúrese de que sus familiares, vecinos, y las personas que viven solas estén bien.  
• Hidrátese con consistencia – no espere hasta que tenga sed y limite las bebidas con azúcar y alcohólicas.  
• Vístase con ropa floja, de colores claros y fresca.  
• Tome muchas duchas frías o busque lugares con aire acondicionado o refugios frescos durante las horas del día en las que hay más calor.  
• Mantenga sus ventanas cerradas durante el día y ábralas en la noche (a menos que haya humo de incendios forestales).  
• Nunca deje a sus niños o a sus mascotas encerrados en los vehículos.  
• Limite la actividad física – hasta los atletas deben limitar su actividad durante el calor extremo.  

En caso de emergencias médicas o si le preocupa alguien en riesgo, llame al número de la policía que no es de emergencia en su área para solicitar una visita de bienestar – o llame al 911 si necesita atención inmediata. Sus acciones pueden salvar vidas. Manténgase fresco, manténgase seguro, y manténgase conectado. 

Recuerde el aumento del peligro de incendios y la conservación de energía 

Las temperaturas altas aumentan el riesgo de incendios forestales:  

• Respete las prohibiciones de quemas  
• Use los fuegos artificiales con cuidado 
• Reporte las condiciones que no son seguras 

A las personas de Oregon también se les pide que conserven la energía:  

• Evite usar los electrodomésticos grandes durante las horas de mayor demanda (en la mañana y en la noche)  
• Ayude a prevenir los cortes de luz y la sobrecarga de la red eléctrica  

Reporte si ve precios excesivos de bienes esenciales y alojamiento a los Servicios de Protección al Consumidor del Departamento de Justicia de Oregon: doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection (en inglés)

Manténgase informado  

• Inscríbase para recibir alertas de emergencia en ORAlert.gov  
• Siga a las actualizaciones del Servicio Nacional de Meteorología (National Weather Service, NWS por sus siglas en inglés): Página sobre Riesgos de Calor.  

Entendiendo las Alertas de Calor  

• Al este de Blue Ridge: Las alertas comienzan a activarse a temperaturas un poco más altas 
• Al oeste de Blue Ridge: Los límites son un poco más bajos debido a las condiciones de clima más frescas 

On July 10, 2025, at approximately 2:23pm, Albany Fire Department responded to a report of a large field fire reportedly 20 feet away from nearby residences and businesses. Albany Police Department responded to the fire for traffic control, evacuation efforts, and investigation. Upon arrival, several people were trying to fight the fire with garden hoses, and the farmer arrived promptly with their water truck to assist. Despite windy conditions, Albany firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire.

After further investigation Albany Police determined the fire resulted from a criminal act. The following day, July 11, 2025, Albany Police detained a 13-year-old male juvenile and lodged him at the Linn Benton Juvenile Detention Center on charges of Arson in the 1^st degree and 2^nd degree.

According to the farmer, an estimated 5 acres were damaged in the fire. We want to thank the Albany Fire Department and mutual aid partners for their quick response to this incident.

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has finalized its Annual Operations Plans (AOP). The plans describe projects planned for state forests in the 2026 fiscal year that began July 1 and runs through June 30, 2026.  These include:

• Planned timber sales for each district.
• Recreation projects, such as the installation of a bridge.
• Other types of forest projects, such as stream enhancement or restoration projects.

ODF received 516 written comments during the public comment period that was open from April 18 to June 3.

“Once again, we received many passionate and constructive comments from the public, representing diverse perspectives and demonstrating a high level of interest and engagement in state forests,” said Nick Palazzotto, ODF’s State Forests Division Deputy Chief.  “The comments help us in the challenging work of trying to balance ODF’s legal obligation to manage state forests for timber production to meet economic goals as well as social and environmental outcomes—a concept referred to as Greatest Permanent Value.”

State forests provide economic, social and environmental benefits, including:

• Outdoor recreation
• Forest education
• Clean water
• Critical fish and wildlife habitats
• Sustainable harvest volumes that produce jobs and revenue that funds vital services in rural counties

The majority of timber sales are on Board of Forestry lands, where about two thirds of the resulting revenue is split with the counties. In turn, the counties share those revenues with special districts that support local schools or provide other essential community services. ODF retains one third of the revenue to fund management of state forests. A small portion of the timber sales are located on Common School Forest Lands and generate revenue for the state’s Common School Fund.

Some comments resulted in edits to specific timber sales while others are addressed in a high-level summary of the comments received highlighting the major themes, topics, and agency responses. 

“We read and consider every comment,” said Palazzotto. “However, we do not respond individually to each one. Sale-specific comments are considered by the field and technical specialists and changes are documented in the plans. We also develop a summary with broad categories that capture the high- level comments and provides our responses to the public commentary.”

The comment summary document has the following sections: 

• Recreation
• Timber Harvest
• Climate Change and Fire Mitigation
• Young Stand Management
• Aquatic, Water Quality, Wildlife
• Roads and Slopes
• Process and Document Improvement
• Specific Sales
• Out of Scope

“Because we manage state forests for the Greatest Permanent Value, we have to consider how our decisions impact all Oregonians, not just a single commenter,” said Palazzotto. “So even though we made changes to some sales, not everyone will be satisfied with those changes. We recognize that and seek to be as transparent as possible in our decisions. 

We know Oregonians care about their forests as we received more than 500 comments this year. Given the high interest in how state forests are managed, ODF will continue to work on improving communications with landowners, neighbors and concerned citizens. Our goal is to raise awareness of our AOP process and how people can connect with us to have their concerns heard.”

The Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Operations Plan documents are available for ODF’s Astoria, Forest Grove, Klamath-Lake, North Cascade, Tillamook, West Oregon and Western Lane districts. These are located on the same webpage as the summary of comments and agency response document.

Vancouver, Wash. – On July 11^th, at around 11:40 p.m., Vancouver Police responded to a disturbance with a weapon call in the 6700 block of E Mill Plain Blvd. Arriving officers located a male in his vehicle who had been shot, and his vehicle had also been hit multiple times. The male was transported to an area hospital for treatment and is expected to survive. 

The Vancouver Police Department Major Crimes Unit is continuing the investigation, and nothing further is releasable at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the VPD Tip line at 360 487-7399 or Det. Rodrigo Osorio at 360 487-7391.

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The demand for recount of votes cast in the May 20, 2025 Regular District Election held in Clatsop County for City of Cannon Beach Measures:

• 4-235 Charter Amendment Initiative Measure
• 4-236 Charter Amendment

The outcome for both City of Cannon Beach Measure 4-235 and Measure 4-236 did not change and the previously certified results are unchanged.

The recount was conducted on July 10, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at the Judge Guy Boyington Building. 

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Yakima, Wash. – Thirteen people are charged following the return of 12 indictments alleging more than a dozen charges against these defendants for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana on the Yakama Nation Reservation. 

The arrests follow a long-term joint federal, local, and tribal investigation that began in late 2024, concluding in June 2025, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Indian Affairs. The investigation targeted violent individuals and armed drug traffickers on the Yakama Nation and in the Yakima Valley with the goal to disrupt drug distributors operation both on and off the reservation. 

“In late 2024, escalating drug-related activity—including opioid trafficking, overdose fatalities, and an alarming number of homicides—prompted the DEA to select the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation for a 120-day drug initiative under DEA Operation Overdrive,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The fentanyl powder and pills that we took off the streets could have yielded about 250-thousand lethal doses, enough to kill everyone living in Yakima County.  Enough to kill every member of the Yakama Nation more than eight times over. “ 

Operation Overdrive is a national, multi-phased program, which targets hot spots where drugs and violent crime are prevalent. The DEA utilizes its full range of data, intelligence, operational resources, and partnerships to combat drug-related violent crime and overdose deaths. The goals of Operation Overdrive are to decrease overdose rates in target areas, decrease gun violence rates, increase community engagement, and remove the drug networks that are causing harm to our communities.

“Fentanyl continues to be one of the most dangerous substances threatening our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Van Marter. “Thanks to the hard work and tireless dedication of our tribal, state and federal law enforcement partners, working side by side with members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Yakima, offenders have been removed from our communities and families are safer today.”

To date, agents have seized 7,100 pounds of marijuana, 336 pounds of methamphetamine, nearly 25 pounds of cocaine, 7 pounds of fentanyl power, 4,704 fentanyl laced pills, $22,512 in drug proceeds, and 12 firearms. 

According to unsealed charging documents, the following individuals have been charged in connection with the investigation. The United States anticipates bringing additional charges against other individuals identified during this investigation. 

Angel Navarro Aleman, age 55, charged with Distribution of 50 Grams and More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine (three counts) 

Jose Francisco Aguirre, age 56, pleaded guilty to Distribution of 50 Grams and More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine; sentencing in July 2025. 

Jose Caudillo-Ascencio, age 23 charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Mixture or Substance Containing Cocaine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime

Jesus Caudillo, age 31, charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm 

Johnny Thomas Axtell, age 54, charged with Distribution of 5 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine; Distribution of Fentanyl

Israel Nicolas Castaneda, age 37, charged with Distribution of Fentanyl; Distribution of 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl

Samantha Rasberry-Besa, age 31, charged with Distribution of 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl; Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime

Lonzell Hawk Lucei, age 37, charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Hollis Marion Woodward, age 70, pleaded guilty to Felon in Possession of a Firearm, sentencing in September 2025. 

Miguel Angel Alvarado-Munoz, age 45, charged with Alien in United States After Deportation

Ira Charles Pete, age 39, charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm 

Edgar Jovnni Nunez Bocanegra, age 29, charged with Drug User in Possession of a Firearm; Possession with Intent to Distribute 5 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine; Possession of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime

Fernando Gonzalez, age 38, charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm 

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation along with Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, ATF, Yakima Police Department, Wapato Police Department, Yakama Nation Tribal Police Department, and the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office. 

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SALEM, Ore. — Thousands of competitors, race staff and sports fans will take in the beauty of the Cherry City during the annual Ironman 70.3 Oregon event July 18-20. Residents should expect large crowds downtown, as well as area road closures July 20 for the main event.

Events surrounding the sold-out race begin July 18 with athlete check-ins, briefings and an Ironman Village in Riverfront Park. July 19 will see additional pre-race events for athletes, as well as the Ironkids race starting in Riverfront Park.

The Sunday race will showcase Salem and the Willamette Valley to thousands of athletes. The 70-mile racecourse includes a 1.2-mile swim in the Willamette River; a 56-mile bike ride through South Salem to the Ankeny Nature Preserve and back; and a 13.1-mile run through Minto-Brown Island Park, finishing at the Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary Amphitheater in Riverfront Park.

The triathlon itself is scheduled to begin at 6:15 a.m. July 20 at Minto-Brown Island Park, where swimmers will enter the Willamette River. The weekend ends with the Awards Ceremony and 2026 Ironman 70.3 World Championship Slot Allocation/Rolldown Ceremony at 3:45 p.m. at the amphitheater.

Several road closures are planned around Minto-Brown Island Park, Riverfront Park and River Road South. Signs will be posted in these areas warning drivers of the traffic impacts that may occur throughout the day. The Peter Courtney Pedestrian Bridge connecting Riverfront Park and Minto-Brown Island Park will be closed to the public on race day.

Vehicles traveling between Salem and Independence on River Road South should use alternate routes between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m., as River Road South will be impacted by the event. Roads will reopen for normal use once the street portion of the bicycle race is completed.

Riverfront Park, Minto-Brown Island Park and Wallace Marine Park will remain open during the event, though access and parking will be limited.

Lane Restrictions and Road Closures: July 20, 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Front Street SE to Trade Street SE (Southbound): Two lanes closed, one lane open for vehicle traffic
• Commercial Street SE (Southbound): Two lanes closed, one lane open for vehicle traffic
• Mission Street (Commercial Street to Saginaw Street S): Local traffic only
• Saginaw Street S (Mission Street to Owens Street): Local traffic only
• Owens Street between Liberty Street SE and River Road S: Closed to westbound traffic
• River Road S between Owens Street and Minto Island Park Road: Closed to southbound traffic

For more information about the course, including maps and details on street impacts, please visit https://www.ironman.com/races/im703-oregon.

At 5:51 pm on Sunday July 13th, Forest Grove Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a field fire near the intersection of NW Thatcher Road and NW Kemper Road in rural Washington County. Firefighters arrived shortly after to find a fire burning in a grass field, with winds pushing the flames towards two barns. Fire crews set up to protect these structures while other crews in specially built four wheel drive brush rigs, drove in the field and attacked the flames. Due to quick actions by firefighters, the structures were not damaged. It took firefighters approximately 40 minutes on scene to deem the incident under control, while spending an additional hour checking for hotspots. 

In total, the fire burned close to four acres of the field and nearby light vegetation. No fire personnel or civilians were injured. The cause of the fire appears to be from welding that was being done in the field.

With dry conditions and warm weather, we want to remind citizens to not conduct welding or metal grinding near any vegetation. Also avoid the use of lawn mowers and weed eaters during the hottest times of the day when humidity is the lowest. 
 

Forest Grove Fire & Rescue was assisted on scene by Cornelius Fire Department, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, Banks Fire District, Gaston Fire District, Washington County Sheriff and AMR.

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At approximately 6:30pm Sunday night, Lebanon Fire District crews were dispatched to a report of a vehicle into power lines with a pole down. On arrival, BC31 assumed command and found a small pickup had struck both a utility pole and a fire hydrant, coming to rest with live power lines draped over the vehicle.

The lone occupant was alert and remained in the vehicle for safety while waiting for Pacific Power to secure the lines. E31 and Lebanon PD established traffic control to maintain scene safety.

Once power was cut, the patient was taken to Lebanon Community Hospital. The cause of the crash is under investigation.  E31 and BC31 remained on scene to assist with extended traffic control while Pacific Power conducted repairs.  Repairs could take up to 8-10 hours to complete. 

The bicyclist involved in this morning’s crash at NW Old Cornelius Pass Road and NW Cornelius Pass Road has been identified as a 55-year-old man from NW Portland. His identity is not being released at this time. His family has been notified. He remains in critical condition at a local trauma center.

On Sunday, July 13, 2025, at 7:17 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported hit and run crash involving a bicyclist in the 22400 block of NW Dairy Creek Road. Passersby located an adult female bicyclist who had been struck overnight by a vehicle. The driver fled the scene after the crash.

The bicyclist suffered serious leg, facial and other injuries and spent the night, outside and alone in a ditch, until she was discovered. She was transported by ambulance to a local trauma center.

The Washington County Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART) responded to the scene and is leading the investigation. NW Dairy Creek Road was closed for several hours but has since re-opened.

Anyone with information on this crash is encouraged to call non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 and reference case number 50-25-9657.

Later the same morning, at 10:56 a.m., deputies were dispatched to a traffic crash with injuries at NW Old Cornelius Pass Road and NW Cornelius Pass Road. Witnesses reported that an adult male bicyclist, traveling north, suddenly crossed NW Old Cornelius Pass Road, directly in the path of a vehicle traveling south on NW Cornelius Pass Road.

The bicyclist was seriously injured in the crash and transported to a local trauma center. The driver remained on scene and is cooperating with investigators. Deputies are not investigating any crimes.

The bicyclist remains unidentified. Deputies are asking for the public’s help in identifying the bicyclist. Anyone with information is asked to call non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 and reference case number 50-25-9663.

Deputies remind all to share the road responsibly. Follow posted speed limits, allow plenty of room when passing or turning, and always use appropriate turn signals.

SALEM, Ore. – On Saturday evening, the Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilized their Blue Incident Management Team and three structural task forces to the Highland Fire in Crook County south of Prineville. One task force was sent earlier on Saturday through Immediate Response.

The wind-driven Highland Fire sparked on Saturday afternoon, and levels 1, 2, and 3 evacuations are in place for those living near the fire.

The Immediate Response task force arrived Saturday evening, and the incident management team and two additional task forces will arrive on Sunday morning before being briefed to begin work protecting structures. 

“Fire conditions are affecting much of the state with little relief in the forecast,” said State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “We are asking all Oregonians to be aware of the conditions and do everything they can to prevent sparking a wildfire.”

A conflagration was invoked by Governor Kotek on Saturday evening, allowing the state fire marshal to mobilize structural protection resources.

Follow the Crook County Sheriff’s Office for the latest evacuation information. See the evacuation map here.

This is the fifth time the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked in 2025.

About the Oregon State Fire Marshal  
The Oregon State Fire Marshal became an independent state agency in July 2023. The agency is dedicated to protecting people, property, and the environment from fire and hazardous materials. The OSFM works with local fire agencies, communities, and other partners to strengthen fire prevention, preparedness, and response statewide. Please note: the Oregon State Fire Marshal is no longer an office.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

UPDATE: July 12, 2025

CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net

Fourth suspect in custody

A fourth suspect has been taken into custody as part of the ongoing investigation into an incident of gunfire that erupted the evening of June 30 in the parking lot of a south Salem fast food eatery.

A 17-year-old boy was taken into custody without incident on July 11 at approximately 10:00 p.m. at an apartment in the 5900 block of Park CT SE. A loaded handgun was also seized. The boy was transported and lodged at the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center on the following charges:

• Attempted assault, first degree
• Unlawful use of a weapon
• Reckless endangering
• Unlawful possession of a firearm

The incident remains an ongoing investigation, and all media inquiries concerning the case must be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

# # #

Originally published July 1, 2025

Three arrested after shots fired in south Salem

Salem, Ore. — Salem Police arrested two adults and one juvenile on the evening of June 30 related to a disturbance ending in shots being fired in the parking lot of McDonald’s 5090 Commercial St SE.

At approximately 10:24 p.m. officers were dispatched to the call of a disturbance. As officers were arriving, vehicles connected to the incident were attempting to flee the scene. Officers stopped one vehicle, contacted three occupants, and ultimately seized a 9mm handgun. Multiple spent shell casings located at the scene were collected as evidence.

Arrested were Rubi Zambrano, 20, Dakoda Clark-Adkins, 18, and a 15-year-old male, all from Salem, on various charges related to the incident. Zambrano and Clark-Adkins were lodged at the Marion County Correctional Facility and will be arraigned today at 2:30pm at the Marion County Court Annex 4000 Aumsville Hwy SE. The juvenile was released to a parent.

While no injuries to persons or significant damage to property was immediately reported, people in the area may have witnessed the incident or have damage to property. Anyone with information is asked to call 503-588-6123 option 1 to make a report.

All further inquiries into this investigation should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
Media hotline: 503-813-6018

Families celebrate 25 years of inclusive fishing at Merwin Day of Fishing

Pacific Power and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife invite kids with disabilities to Merwin Fish Hatchery near Woodland, Wash.

You can find the media kit here.

Video interview subjects' names: 

Marcy Broadway, parent

Todd Dinehart, Vice President of Business Optimization, Pacific Power

Diana Knous, Principal Accounts Manager, Pacific Power 

Jesse Cody, Fish Hatchery Specialist, Merwin Hatchery, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 

Woodland, Wash. (July 12, 2025)— Today, Pacific Power and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife partnered to host the 25^th annual Merwin Day of Fishing for Kids with Disabilities. The event drew a record turnout of over 300 children, who enjoyed a unique opportunity to experience the joy of fishing in a supportive and inclusive environment.   

Children spent the day fishing in ponds stocked with thousands of fish, specially raised for this event. Volunteer coaches helped them catch up to five fish, which were cleaned and put on ice while families enjoyed a barbecue. At the end of the day, kids took home the brand-new fishing rods and tackle that they used to catch their fish.  

For 25 years, Pacific Power has proudly sponsored this event with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The company provides volunteers and essential support for the event held at the hatchery near Merwin Dam, a vital source of hydroelectric power for customers in the region. Pacific Power employees, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and several recreational fishing organizations generously contributed their time and expertise to ensure each child had a memorable experience.   

"It's amazing to see the smiles on their faces as these kids fish in our hatchery ponds. We’re happy to provide them with a fun and inclusive outdoor experience,” said Jesse Cody, Fish Hatchery Specialist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Events like this help us put our agency’s mission into action by exemplifying accountability, service, professionalism, integrity, respect and empathy."   

“Each year, this event reminds us how powerful a simple day of fishing can be for kids and families,” said Britton Ransford, communications specialist, Southwest region with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. “We’re grateful for the continued support of Pacific Power, WDFW hatchery staff, and the volunteers who make this meaningful event possible.”  

"For many of the children participating today, this is their first experience reeling in a fish," said Ryan Flynn, president of Pacific Power. "It’s rewarding to watch them leave with smiles and a cooler full of impressive catches.”   

The event unites young patients from Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital, Kaiser Kids and other facilities, including those managing conditions such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy and cancer.   

"Today was all about creating memories for families by showing them the magic and inclusivity that outdoor experiences can bring," said Diana Knous, principal accounts manager for Pacific Power, who volunteered at the event. “Year after year, this is my favorite event to dedicate my time to.”   

The event is a special occasion, especially for the families of these children who get to watch their children connect with the outdoors.  

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About Pacific Power

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

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, is thankful for the community support to find Sahara Feldmiller.

Sahara, age 16, is a child who went missing from Oregon City on July 6. She was found on July 11.

Sometimes when a child is missing they may be in significant danger and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.

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At 7:07 p.m. on Friday, July 11, numerous callers to 911 reported seeing fire in a ditch near Southwest 124^th Avenue and SW Tonquin Road outside Sherwood. Initial reports described the fire as approximately “the size of a car”.

The first firefighters arrived within five minutes of being dispatched and, due to the wind and dry fuels, found the fire had extended to cover a hill next to the ditch, continuing to spread uphill. The call was upgraded to bring additional units to the scene. Fire crews deployed hose lines up the steep terrain in such a rapid and progressive manner that it allowed firefighters to get to the front of the fire before it could damage nearby power poles.

Firefighters also noted a growing spot fire that threatened nearby structures, so the call was upgraded again to bring additional personnel and resources to the scene. Crews worked quickly to provide structural protection, and the spot fire was contained without need for evacuation.

In total, an estimated three acres burned, with an additional acre to include the spot fire. TVF&R fire investigators are working to determine the cause. We wish to thank our partners at Lake Oswego Fire and Aurora Fire District for assisting on the fire; Sherwood Police and Washington County Sheriff’s Office for providing traffic control; and American Medical Response for standby support at the scene.

Just after 6:45 PM, Portland Fire was dispatched to the NW Industrial Area on reports of a Commercial Building fire.   Responding crews noted a heavy black header (large column of smoke), while enroute.  Initial dispatch information noted several callers reported this fire.

The first arriving engine confirmed a large fire that appeared to be trash, possibly tires, and surrounding grass, brush and blackberries.  It did not appear that any structures were involved, and further investigation confirmed that no structures were involved but with the heavy fire and wind there was threat to some nearby buildings. 

This turned out to be a fire at an abandoned commercial property with thick vegetation and evidence of transient camps.  A second alarm was called due to the size of the scene and gusty winds blowing fire brands and starting spot fires.  Truck companies were used to check roofs of nearby large commercial buildings and to apply large amounts of water from aerial master streams.

Crews will be on-scene for a while to be sure all hot spots are extinguished and the deep-seated brush fire is fully extinguished.  Portland Fire and Rescue would like to extend a special thank you to Portland Police Bureau Air 1 for their assistance with providing valuable information to crews about the fire direction of travel and spot fire locations.

Suspect Arrested in AM 4-Alarm Fire

After much investigation one of the residents of the apartment building by the PPB-PFR Fire Investigations Unit, Shaun Szwarz, DOB 04/23/85, has been arrested on:

• 6 counts Arson 1
• 6 counts Reckless Endangering
• 6 counts Criminal Mischief 1

Two victims from the apartment building are still in the hospital with serious injuries to include 2^nd and 3^rd degree burns, inhalation injuries, fractured vertebrate, and ankle.  Several residents of the apartment complex had to be rescued by PF&R, and at least four residents jumped from upper floor windows to escape the fire.   

The investigation is still very active and any witnesses to the fire or other victims that have not spoken to Portland Fire & Rescue Investigators or PPB, please contact Det. Meredith Hopper edith.hopper@police.portlandoregon.gov">Meredith.hopper@police.portlandoregon.gov

The combined PPB-PFR Fire Investigations Unit would like to thank the Oregon State Police Accelerant Detection K9 Team who provided invaluable assistance in this case.

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On July 11th, 2025, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office requested assistance with an ongoing investigation at a crash scene along Highway 18 near milepost 11. Grand Ronde Tribal Police were on scene as the vehicle involved had been reported stolen the previous day in their jurisdiction. Oregon State Police and Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office were also involved in this investigation.

One suspect was apprehended on scene hours prior, however investigators were concerned by blood evidence found on scene and a trail of blood leading to the wood line nearby. Officers suspected a second suspect had been involved in the vehicle theft and subsequent crash, and were concerned for his wellbeing. The Lincoln City Police Department was contacted to assist locating the injured suspect and K9 Nix was deployed. With K9 Nix’s assistance the second suspect, 48-year-old Brian Peoples of Gladstone Oregon, was apprehended nearby with serious injuries. Peoples was transported via ambulance for emergent medical care and remained in custody. After medical care was provided, Peoples was released, and will be lodged into the Tillamook County Jail.

During the investigation, evidence of multiple felony property crimes was uncovered including crimes within Lincoln City in the hours preceding the crash. This teamwork by multiple agencies highlights how law enforcement officers work across multiple jurisdictions in pursuit of justice.

Good Job K9 Nix!

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Sahara Feldmiller, age 16, a child in foster care who went missing from Oregon City on July 6. Sahara is believed to be in danger.

ODHS asks the public for help in the effort to find Sahara and to contact 911 or local law enforcement if they believe they see her.

Sahara was last seen under the 205 Bridge at Marine Drive and is known to frequent Sandy, Oregon and Mt. Hood Area.

Name: Sahara Feldmiller  
Pronouns: she/her
Date of birth: October 16, 2008
Height: 5-foot-2
Weight: 98 pounds
Eye color: Blue
Hair color: Dark Blonde

Law Enforcement Agency Case #25-014218
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #2055501 

Sometimes when a child is missing they may be in significant danger and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Billy Henry, Founder & CEO – bhenry@nwaba.org

Northwest Association for Blind Athletes
805 Broadway Street, Ste 750 • Vancouver, Washington 98660
Local Phone: 1-360-448.7254 Toll Free: 1-800-880-9837
http://www.nwaba.org
media@nwaba.org

Northwest Association for Blind Athletes Celebrates 10 Years of Camp Spark

 
Landmark anniversary marks a decade of empowering blind and visually impaired youth across the Pacific Northwest

Vancouver, Washington—July 11, 2025—Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) is thrilled to announce the return of our Camp Spark program to Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon for the 10^th Year. This summer camp session is dedicated to Oregon youth who are blind or visually impaired. Over the last decade, Camp Spark has seen remarkable growth, increasing from 18 campers in 2016 to 30+ campers this year.

The week-long camp is tailored to meet the unique needs of each camper, offering adapted sports and activities such as tandem biking, swimming, and goalball. Campers are paired with counselors to ensure they are actively learning and developing new skills. Camp Spark emphasizes social interaction and community, providing campers with opportunities to engage with their peers in exciting and innovative ways in a residential camp setting. This session of Camp Spark ends on Friday, July 18, 2025.

“Camp Spark ignites possibility,” said Billy Henry, NWABA Founder, President & CEO. “Over the past decade, we’ve watched campers discover independence, forge lifelong friendships, and return home ready to lead in their schools and communities. Reaching this 10-year milestone underscores how transformative Camp has been for the youth and families we serve.”

Camp Spark at a Glance

• Who: Oregon youth ages 8–15 with visual impairments
• When: July 13–18, 2025
• Where: Linfield University, McMinnville, OR
• Activities: Tandem biking, swimming, track & field, goalball, and more—each adapted for every camper’s ability
• Cost to Families: Free, thanks to generous donors and partners

Campers are paired one-to-one with trained counselors and receive individualized instruction in sports, orientation & mobility, and daily living skills. Beyond athletics, the program cultivates leadership, confidence, and advocacy—skills that extend far beyond the playing field.

Join the Celebration—Fuel the Next Decade

Camp Spark is funded through the generosity of individuals, foundations, state grants, and corporate partners. To keep camp free for families and expand its reach, NWABA seeks additional support:

Donate online: www.nwaba.org/donate

Mail a gift: Northwest Association for Blind Athletes, 805 Broadway Street, Ste. 750, Vancouver, WA 98660

To make a gift or for more information, contact Billy Henry at bhenry@nwaba.org or 360-448-7254.

About NWABA: 
The mission of Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) is to provide life-changing opportunities through sports and physical activity to individuals who are blind and visually impaired. A group of students who were visually impaired formed the association in 2007 to ensure that people who are blind were participating in sports and physical activity. Today, NWABA is a rapidly expanding 501(c)(3) charitable organization that delivers more than 6,000 program and service interactions annually to children, youth, adults and military veterans with visual impairments tailored programming which improves self-confidence and self-esteem, promotes independence, creates an inclusive community of supporters, and builds the skills necessary to succeed in all areas of life including school and employment.

For information: http://www.nwaba.org  or

Contact: Billy Henry, Founder & CEO, henry@nwaba.org">bhenry@nwaba.org

Phone:  1-360-448-7254

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You're invited to join the Rowena Wildfire Debris Management Task Force for a media tour highlighting household hazardous waste removal of the debris cleanup effort. This is an opportunity to learn more about the coordinated recovery work underway, ask questions of subject matter experts, and gather photos and footage for public awareness.

Location: Mayer State Park, 5865 Rowena River Rd, Rowena, OR 97058
Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Time: 10 a.m.

Who will be available for media interviews:

• Stephanie Krell, Public Information Officer, Debris Management Task Force

• Charles Kennedy, State On-Scene Coordinator, Debris Management Task Force

• Sheriff Lane Magill, Deputy Incident Commander, Debris Management Task Force

Closed-toe shoes are required and long pants are recommended. Please bring personal protective equipment, including high-vis vests, safety glasses and N95 masks, as their availability will be limited on-site.

? Registration is required to participate. Please register by 5 p.m., Monday, July 14, 2025.

For more information or special accommodation requests, please contact Stephanie Krell, Public Information Officer, pio@co.wasco.or.us or by phone (541) 993-8173

On July 11, 2025, Lincoln County Circuit Court Presiding Judge, Sheryl Bachart, sentenced Tucker Todd (47-year-old) to 100 months in the Department of Corrections for raping a 43-year-old woman who had fallen asleep at Don Davis Park the afternoon of July 3, 2024, while visiting Newport for the holiday weekend.

On June 27, 2025, after a three-day trial, a 12-person jury found Todd guilty of Rape in the First Degree and Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree, specifically finding that the victim was unable to consent due to her mental incapacitation and physical helplessness. At trial, evidence demonstrated that Todd, an unhoused individual based out of Corvallis, had taken a bus to Newport, and was camping at Don Davis Park when he found the victim unconscious on the grassy area. At sentencing, the victim stated “Any amount that could be added onto [his sentence] would be a great comfort, slowing his return to the streets. The fact that he showed no compunction in raping me in broad daylight in a public place speaks volumes. He just doesn't care. Maybe prison will change him, but I doubt it. I worry about the next time that he finds some other helpless female and what he might do to her.”  

Prior to being sentenced, Todd stated that he could not remember the events of the day in question due to alcohol intoxication and did not agree with the verdict but apologized to the victim for what happened to her. Judge Bachart sentenced Todd to a total of 100 months in the Department of Corrections pursuant to Oregon Ballot Measure 11, which requires mandatory minimum sentences for specific violent crimes including Rape in the First Degree. Todd will not be eligible for any reduction in sentence and will also be required to register as a sex offender upon release from custody. Todd has prior convictions out of Missouri for assault in the third degree, sexual misconduct in the third degree, and failure to register as a sex offender.

This case was prosecuted by District Attorney Jenna Wallace.

Busy Morning for Portland Fire & Rescue

Fourth Alarm Apartment Fire with a modified single family home fire quickly to follow

Portland Fire & Rescue was dispatched out to a multi occupancy fire at just before 6 AM earlier today. Reports from the dispatch center indicated heavy fire present with occupants of the apartment complex jumping from windows to safety. This fire was reported to be in the Hazelwood Neighborhood along Burnside near 104^th Avenue. Dispatch updates as crews were enroute include “I have a caller on the line saying fire at their door” with others saying, “people are jumping from the second story windows” and “I have a caller seeing and smelling smoke from below and hearing lots of shouting”.

Portland Fire & Rescue Station 7, located approximately 25 blocks away, arrived to have heavy fire showing on a three-story apartment complex located at the north end of a parking lot approximately 150’ back from the street with people out at the street obviously injured. PPB Officers were already on scene clearing members of the community out of the working area for PF&R members to successfully focus on the work of rescue and suppression. Additionally, early communication from PPB Officers to crew members on scene directed firefighters to possible locations of rescue.

Engine 7 pulled into the parking area located behind a smaller structure at the street and pulled in as close as possible given the heavy fire present and filled the parking lot. Members of the crew began working toward establishing a water supply with E19 having triple ported a fire hydrant and connecting 2 hoses to provide the required amount of water needed to begin to suppress and cool the flames. A Triple Port set up allows for an additional hose line to be attached to hydrant to provide more water if needed. In this case the additional hose was not needed but a heads up move on the part of the water supply team to be forward thinking and prepare for the incident to get worse before it gets better.

Truck 7 quickly threw ladders to elevated windows with fire pushing out below them to affect rescue of occupants on the third level while also investigating the entire building to report information to the arriving Battalion Chief. As the rescues were occurring, members of Engine 7 grabbed large bore nozzle hose lines and began to apply water of the front of the complex, putting water into as many openings as possible, cooling and exitinguishing flames to provide safety for those remaining in the structure.

After establishing a water supply the members of Engine 19 were assigned to medical branch and began addressing the injured residents out at the street. There were two patients in need of medical attention at this time but the possibility of many more injuries led to command ordering 2 independent strike teams of ambulances totaling 10 AMR ambulances on scene or enroute to this emergency. One of the victims had jumped from an elevated position, injuring with a possible break of the ankle, along with partial thickness burns to the upper leg. The second occupant to be addressed medically early in the incident was reported to have smaller contact singe burns on their arm.

Once the initial reduction of flames occurred and early rescues were performed, many hoses were stretched to the structure and crews went interior to address the fire within the building. This building has 3 levels and 12 occupancies with the front 6 having much fire activity throughout. Burned wooden stairs led to clever use of ladders to be laid over the top of the burned treads from one landing to the next to successfully ascend from the ground level to the 3^rd floor with hose lines.

As interior fire suppression activities happened, Truck 2 with new recruits supervised by their training specialists made rescue of 6 occupants trapped in elevated apartments. This real world “on the job training” opportunity will provide these newest members a great foundation of experience to build from throughout their careers.

As rescues and suppression efforts moved forward, dispatchers communicated to command there was a family trapped in their apartment located in an area unaffected by fire, but they were unable to safely exit to the street due to fire present in other areas of the building. Crews made contact, had them shelter in place briefly and then escorted them to the street, a safe distance from the structure. This speaks to the critical assistance on incidents like this from our public safety partners at the dispatch center along with the importance of sheltering in a safe place, if possible, behind closed doors but not hiding.

As crews were working toward suppression and rescue, the command officer elevated this incident to a 4^th alarm assignment to ensure there was a large enough body of firefighters on scene to address the emergency. This draws close to 80 members from PF&R along with Gresham Fire to the scene leaving a large hole within the city. The PF&R Liaison Officer made the decision to move engines and trucks from areas of the city unaffected by this fire to move up into areas on the east side to ensure that all other emergencies that may occur during the time of this active fire would have a responder close by. Crews from downtown were placed out east, crews from SW were moved closer in, and crews from the north end were also brought into different stations to provide proper coverage of the city allowing us to manage the risk as best possible. There was also a crew from Lake Oswego Fire that moved up into a station in deep SW Portland to provide coverage.

The cause of this fire is still under investigation with the PF&R-PPB Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) having detained an individual for questioning. Any updates on the process of the investigation will be sent out as they come in. If you have any information regarding this fire, please contact 503-823-FIRE (3473).

There were 2 individuals injured in this fire. Along with the 8 humans rescued, PF&R also rescued 1 cat and 4 dogs. There will be at a minimum of 15 individuals displaced because of this fire with a possibility of an additional 16 because of structural damage and safe access to apartments. Red Cross has arrived on scene as is taking a lead on assisting occupants with relocation.

PF&R would like to thank all our partners in this incident as each was instrumental in providing us the assistance needed to safely address this fire. PPB aiding early on in helping in rescue and providing us a safe working area, Gresham Fire for their mutual aid response to the scene and Lake Oswego Fire in moving up into Portland to provide coverage, AMR for their assistance in medical triage and making transport as well as having 10 ambulances moving to the scene if needed along with Red Cross aiding in the relocation of occupants. Lastly it is important to mention the assistance from TriMet as they stopped the MaxLine trains running directly in front of this location as there were hose lines laying across the tracks from a secondary fire hydrant used and crews in and around the tracks working.

As crews were returning to their station to clean up from this early morning fire, another residential fire was reported in NE Portland in the Cully Neighborhood. Crews from Station 28 arrived to find a modified single-family home that now was divided up into 4 different occupancies with residents out in front with dark brown smoke pushing out under pressure and flames seen on the back side of the home.

A water supply was established and crews went to work suppressing the flames and extinguishing this fire. Crews that were moved up from downtown responded to this fire and performed work illustrating the importance of the Liaison Officer moving crews around to provide appropriate coverage in our response area.

Crews searched the structure, located all occupants, confirmed no one remaining in the interior and extinguished the fire quickly. No injuries were reported of resident or responder.

This fire was contained to one of the units in the back with a possibility of a front unit experiencing some damage as crews were investigating the attic space above for possible fire spread. This fire is under investigation and the cause is unknown. There will be 2 occupants displaced with the addition of another if the damage to the interior deemed unsafe for occupancy.

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On July 10, 2025, Linn County Search and Rescue (SAR) teams located the body of David Winter in the Snow Peak Area after the third continuous day of searching. David was located at the bottom of a 300-foot cliff where SAR personnel were able to retrieve him using a rope system. No foul play is suspected.

Our thoughts are with Mr. Winter’s family during this difficult time. We deeply appreciate the public’s support and the tireless efforts of all the SAR teams, K-9 units, partner agencies, and volunteers who helped in the search.

The following agencies were integral in this operation:
Linn County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue
Lane County Search and Rescue
Albany Police Department
Benton County Sheriff’s Office – Mary’s Peak Search and Rescue
Benton County Sheriff’s Office – Corvallis Mountain Rescue
Marion County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue
Region 3 K9 Search Dogs
Oregon Army National Guard

CORVALLIS, Ore. – A new life jacket loaner station is now available for public use at Irish Bend Park, located northeast of Monroe in Benton County, Oregon, along the Willamette River. This safety initiative was made possible through a partnership between the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Benton County Natural Areas & Parks, and funding support from the Benton Community Foundation.

Life jacket loaner stations like this one are part of a broader effort to improve water safety across Oregon. Stations are located at various parks along the Willamette River and other public waterways through collaborations with the Oregon State Marine Board, Nautical Safety Foundation, local agencies, and nonprofit organizations. In Benton County, stations are located at Michael’s Landing, Crystal Lake Sports Park, and Hyak Park.

Life jackets are required by law for boaters on public waterways and save lives. The loaner program allows community members to borrow a life jacket free of charge and return it after use, helping ensure everyone stays safe while enjoying the water.

Community support keeps this program going. If you would like to contribute, donations of new or gently used life jackets—or monetary donations—are welcome. Checks can be made out to “The Sheriff’s Foundation” (please note “life jackets” in the memo line) and are tax-deductible. Donations can be mailed to, or dropped off at:

Benton County Sheriff’s Office
180 NW 5th Street
Corvallis, OR 97330

Together, we can keep our waterways safer for everyone.

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No- and low-cost energy efficiency resources can help customers save money

Portland, Ore. (July 11, 2025) — With warmer summer temperatures forecasted for this weekend and forecasts calling for above normal temperatures next week, customers may be looking to stay cool and keep energy costs low.

Ways to help keep your home cool

• Open windows during cooler nights and mornings and use a fan to draw in that cool air (remember to make sure open windows are safe for children and pets).
• When it gets to about 75 to 80 degrees out, close windows, doors and window coverings to keep cool air in. Use your fans to circulate air.
• Run appliances such as ovens, stovetops, dishwashers and clothes dryers at night or in the early morning.
• Close curtains on sun-facing windows or use awnings during the day and when running AC units.

Check your thermostat

• Set central air thermostats to 76 degrees, rather than 70 degrees.
• Upgrade to a programmable or smart thermostat to help you save season after season.

Weatherize your home

• Keep the heat out by making sure ducts are sealed or insulated. Use weather-stripping or caulking around doors, windows, pipes, and cracks.
• PGE offers free Weatherization Assistance (even for renters) for those whose income qualifies. If you’re a DIY-er, Community Energy Project has free workshops and other weatherization resources.

Sign-up for programs that help you save energy and money

• Peak Time Rebates reward customers for shifting energy use during peak times – when electricity demand and prices are highest.
• When you’re enrolled in the Smart Thermostat program, your thermostat automatically adjusts a few degrees to shift your electricity use away from peak times.
• Do less between 5-9 p.m. and save with Time of Day – our unique option that offers you lower energy prices for using less energy during high demand hours.

The PGE Customer Dashboard can help

• PGE customers can sign in to their online account or create one to access their account dashboard where they can take steps to maximize energy savings, gain insight into their bill, and get personalized recommendations for energy-shifting programs.
• Set up text or email notifications to get weekly estimated bill amounts

For more ways to use energy more efficiently and participate in energy-saving programs, visit our website.

About Portland General Electric Company

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

The Multnomah Education Service District Board of Directors will meet in Regular Session at 6:00 p.m. on July 15, 2025.  

This meeting will be held virtually through Zoom.
https://multnomahesd-org.zoom.us/j/84264916825?pwd=Og3ZQs3Enav0ucSweOaprByeIOboYG.1
Passcode:127399

On Thursday, July 10, at approximately 7:19 p.m., deputies were dispatched to reports of a motor vehicle crash involving a bicyclist near the 2000 block of Delaney Road SE in Salem.

When deputies arrived, they located the involved vehicle, a white Hyundai Accent, and the bicyclist, who had sustained life-threatening injuries. The bicyclist, identified as 46-year-old Jeremy Wanak of Salem, was transported to Salem Hospital, where he later died as a result of his injuries.

The driver of the Hyundai was identified as 28-year-old Damon Johnson of Salem. Following the initial investigation, Johnson was arrested and lodged at the Marion County Jail on the following charges:

• Manslaughter in the Second Degree
• Reckless Driving
• Reckless Endangering
• Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII)

Mr. Johnson is scheduled for arraignment today, July 11, at 2:30 p.m. at the Marion County Court Annex.

The roadway was closed for nearly six hours while the Marion County CRASH Team conducted a thorough investigation.

Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of Jeremy Wanak during this incredibly difficult time.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Marion County CRASH Team, Keizer Police Department, METCOM, WVCC, Marion County Public Works, and Willamette Valley First Responder Chaplaincy Services for their assistance and support during this incident.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has lifted its advisory at Vancouver Lake. Water samples collected from the lake show water quality has improved over the last two weeks and toxin levels are no longer elevated.

The warning signs posted at the lake are being removed. While the toxin levels are no longer elevated, harmful algae are still present in the lake. As long as algae are present, toxin levels could increase as conditions at the lake change.

Public Health encourages people swimming and recreating in Vancouver Lake to watch for floating scum and avoid direct contact with water in those areas. Pets should not drink or have contact with water in areas of floating scum.

The warning advisory at Lacamas Lake remains in placed due to elevated toxin levels from harmful algae. The Lacamas Lake warning advisory has been in place since June 4.

Public Health will continue to monitor the lakes and, while blooms are present, take weekly water samples to test toxin levels. Advisories will be updated as conditions change. Additional information about harmful algal blooms and current advisories are available on the Public Health website.

On July 1, 2025, Albany Police responded to a report of a missing person.  Albany resident, David Winter, age 63, was reported to have left his residence in his vehicle without explanation and had not returned.

On the evening of July 7, 2025, Linn County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle located on Bureau of Land Management land near Snow Peak. The reporting party stated that he had found a vehicle on a secluded logging road and believed it might be associated with a missing person case reported to the Albany Police Department.

Deputies responded and confirmed the vehicle belongs to David Winter.  Winter was not with the vehicle when the deputies arrived, and his current whereabouts are unknown.  The vehicle has since been returned to the family.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) team was activated and has been tirelessly conducting a search operation around the vehicle for the last two days.  This is a heavily wooded area, making search efforts difficult.  The Linn County SAR team has been assisted by SAR teams from the Lane and Benton County Sheriff’s Offices, Region 3 K9 search units, and the U.S. Army National Guard, which is assisting with aerial searches via helicopter. Unfortunately, Mr. Winter was not located.

Anyone with information about David’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Albany Police Department at 541-917-7680 and reference case number 25-03775.

Albany Police would like to thank the Linn County Sherrif’s Office, the devoted SAR teams, K-9 units and the U.S. Army National Guard for their help in this investigation.

                                                                                                                                        #  #  #

Prineville, Ore. – Effective July 11, 2025 at 12:01am, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will be 3 in MH-1 and IFPL 2 in MH-4, which applies to operations east of Hwy 35 within the Oregon Department of Forestry’s – The Dalles fire protection. Due to a rise in temperatures, and windy conditions, the fine fuels in the district are significantly dry and susceptible to ignition.

Additional fire restrictions or regulations may apply depending on the various fire risks throughout the fire season. For more information on IFPL restrictions and public use restrictions, visit https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx.

The Oregon Department of Forestry urges residents to not become complacent in wildfire prevention. The fewer human-caused fires we have, the less the district’s resources are strained. For tips on wildfire prevention, visit www.keeporegongreen.org  

For more information on the Central Oregon District and fire season regulations, visit https://odfcentraloregon.com/.

PORTLAND MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS PRISON FOR KILLING ONE PERSON AND TRYING TO KILL TWO OTHERS

Case # 23CR11504

Portland, OR- Multnomah County District Circuit Court Judge Andrew Lavin sentenced Brandon Nicholas Gilpin to 25 years in prison on Jul 9, 2025.

Gilpin pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree with a Firearm and two counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm.

The Multnomah County District Attorneys Office would like to thank Portland Police Bureau, especially Detective Billy Winters, for their work investigating this case.

The DA’s Office would also like to thank Nang Dunn for her caring and compassionate work to help the victims through this case.

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Devin Franklin prosecuted the case for the state.

After the sentencing she said, “This case involved shocking amounts of violence and criminal behavior over a short time. The defendant caused a tidal wave of fear and grief that I am certain is still being felt to this day. He killed one person and tried to kill two more. I hope this sentence allows the people affected by these crimes to continue to try and heal.”

THE FACTS:

Around 1pm on February 11, 2023 offices were dispatched to the intersection of NE First Avenue and NE Hancock Street in Portland on reports of a shooting. When they arrived they found Torn Saephan dead in the roadway. Investigators learned that Mr. Saephan was houseless. He had been hanging around the area earlier that day and at one point, he interacted with two women who lived in a tent nearby. The women did not know Mr. Saephan so they asked him to leave. Mr. Saephan then went and sat on a retaining wall across the street. A male and a female soon arrived in a Cadillac with no plates and, shortly thereafter, the male brandished a firearm, confronted Mr. Saephan, and threatened to shoot him if he didn't leave the area entirely. Mr. Saephan stood up when the male came within a few feet of him. The male then fired a single shot, hitting Mr. Saephan. The two women who had interacted with Mr. Saephan witnessed the shooting. The male immediately left the scene with the female he had arrived with. Investigators later identified the male as Brandon Gilpin. Two nights later, Mr. Gilpin returned to the scene of the shooting where the two witnesses were still living. He pointed a firearm at them and demanded to know what they had told police about the incident. He was also holding an airhorn and, based on his statements to the witnesses, Mr. Gilpin was preparing to shoot them while simultaneously activating the airhorn to drown out the sound of the shots. Miraculously, the airhorn broke when Mr. Gilpin attempted to activate it. The pause allowed witnesses time to flee the area unharmed.

                                       #MCDA#

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, July 23, 2025, 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.

Amended Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approve June 25, 2025, Meeting Minutes

3. Cody Ching, DPSST No. 66366; Gresham Police Department

    Presented by Cindy Park

4. Manuel Montoya, DPSST No. 66246; DOC/Coffee Creek Correctional Facility

    Presented by Cindy Park

5. Inquiry Closure Memos – Information Only

    Presented by Cindy Park

6. Next Applicant Review Committee Meeting – August 27, 2025, 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.

PF&R extinguish 3 intentionally set fires – suspect in custody

At 11:16 AM Portland Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a possible vegetation fire on the border of the Overlook and Arbor Lodge Neighborhoods along the bluff area that overlooks Swan Island and the Willamette River. This bluff area is filled with natural vegetation of tall dry grasses and large well-established trees.

Portland Fire & Rescue Engine 24 arrived at multiple grass and vegetation fires and was able to observe a suspect coming from the immediate area of one of the fires. As they watched the suspect flee and contacted PPB officers to search for the fire setter. The engine officer requested for PPB to respond to the scene in hopes of apprehending the suspect and provided the dispatch center with a good description of the suspect.

Engine 24 was quick in cooling and extinguishing the flames present in each unique location and prevented what could have been a large fire that ran the entire distance of the bluff as this area is currently filled with much fuel composed of these tall dry grasses and other vegetation. Along with the available fuels, the warmer weather and breezy conditions compound the fire dangers. The quick actions were certain to have prevented what would have been a larger fire that would have required many more resources.

PPB Officers responded to the area in question and using the description provided by the fire crews, was able to detain the suspect. The PF&R Fire Investigation Unit responded and took over the investigation.  The suspect, 41-year-old Joel Eipwon, was arrested on three counts of Arson in the First Degree. 

This bluff area has been designated protected property with a high fire danger and injury potential due to the well-known unhoused population, the permanent homes that sit at the top of the ridge, and the high use recreational trails throughout. This property designation allows the FIU to assign a charge of Arson 1 in each of these fires. The image attached clearly shows the area with all three fire locations noted. You can see the industrual complex of Swan Island downslope, the many high use recreational trails, the varied vegetation (from a time when the area was still "green"), and the residential neighborhood at the top of the slope. Had PF&R crews been unable to stop this fire quickly, the impact of the area could have been quite significant.

Any witnesses to these fires please contact Det. Meredith Hopper edith.hopper@police.portlandoregon.gov">Meredith.hopper@police.portlandoregon.gov

Portland Fire & Rescue would like to remind those in the community that in the conditions we are currently experiencing, with warmer weather, winds, and abundant dry fuels, any use of open flame can lead to a catastrophic emergency. Although these fires may not fall under the same guidelines used when establishing the burn ban, it is a good reminder that any open flame use can lead to an undesired outcome. Please be cautious when discarding any smoking materials, properly cool and dispose of BBQ briquettes, and ensure that all travel trailer safety chains clear the roadway. One small spark or undesired hot spot can lead to a large preventable incident.

###

Disasters can damage critical infrastructure, leading to temporary outages in cell service, internet, and power. When communication systems go down, it's vital to be prepared with alternate ways to get emergency information and stay connected. Here’s how you can prepare and respond:

  Have a Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Emergency Weather Radio

• Why it matters: Emergency radios can receive Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcasts via AM/FM or NOAA Weather Radio frequencies—even when cell towers and the internet are down.
• Note: Emergency radios do not receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) like cell phones do. Tip: Pre-tune your radio to your local emergency broadcast station (e.g., OPB in Oregon or NOAA frequencies).

Turn On WEA Alerts on Your Phone

• Make sure Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled in your phone’s settings. These alerts include evacuation orders, severe weather warnings, and other urgent notifications.
• WEA messages are sent through cell towers—if cell service is out, WEA alerts will not be delivered. This is why having backup methods like a radio is essential.

Charge Everything in Advance and Have Backup Power

• Charge phones, power banks, laptops, and rechargeable flashlights before fire weather conditions worsen.
• Consider solar-powered chargers or car chargers as backups.
• If you are sheltering in place, a generator (solar or gas powered) is helpful.

Know Your Evacuation Routes in Advance

• Save printed or downloaded evacuation maps in case you can’t access GPS or navigation apps.
• Most mapping services (like Google Maps or Apple Maps) offer the ability to “Make maps available offline.” Download your area in advance so you can navigate even if cell towers or internet access are down.
• When in doubt, call 511 or visit the TripCheck.com website if you have cell service.
• Don’t wait for a notification—if you feel unsafe, evacuate early.

Print or Write Down Critical Contacts and Info

• Phone numbers of family, neighbors, and local emergency contacts.
• Address of evacuation shelters, veterinary services (for pets/livestock), and medical facilities.
• Your own emergency plan, including meeting locations.
• Have copies of vital documents in your go-bag and take video of your property (inside and out) for insurance claims later.

If Calling 9-1-1 Over Wi-Fi or Satellite, Check Your Location Settings

If you call 9-1-1 using Wi-Fi calling or a satellite-connected phone (like an iPhone or Android), your location might not be automatically visible to dispatch. Instead, it may rely on the emergency address saved in your phone’s settings.

• Update this emergency address when you travel or relocate—especially in evacuation zones or rural areas.
• Most importantly, always tell the dispatcher exactly where you are—include your address, landmarks, road names, or mile markers to help first responders reach you quickly.

Sign Up for Alerts Before There's an Outage

• Register for OR-Alert and your county’s local alert system.
• Follow your local emergency management officials' and bookmark resources like: wildfire.oregon.gov.

 Prepare for Alert Delays or Gaps

• Know the three levels of evacuation:
  • Level 1 – Be Ready
  • Level 2 – Be Set
  • Level 3 – GO NOW
• If you hear a siren, see a neighbor evacuating, or witness fire behavior increasing—take action even if you haven’t received an alert.

 Be Your Own Info Network

• Check on neighbors, especially seniors or those with disabilities.
• Post printed signs with updates for those passing by.

In rural areas, community bulletin boards or fire stations may serve as local information points.

Support and Restoration in Progress
To help maintain emergency communications during this incident, OEM deployed eight Starlink terminals under the guidance of ESF 2 and the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC). A Communications Technician (Jeff Perkins) was also deployed to assess connectivity needs on the ground. These Starlink terminals have been providing service to the Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Oregon State Police (OSP), Warner Creek Correctional Facility, and will soon support the town of Lakeview, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Lakeview Ranger Station. OEM’s Regional Coordinator (Stacey) is also on-site supporting the Lake County EOC. Coordination has been strong across local, state, and private sector partners.

Update: As of 7/10/25 at 1:47 PM, fiber service has been restored.

Reconnect When Service Returns

• Once communications are restored, check official websites:
  • Oregon.gov/oem
  • Your county emergency management page
  • TripCheck.com for road conditions
• Share verified info—not rumors—on social media or community pages.

 Prepare for Delays in Restoration

• Communication may come back in phases. Damage to fiber lines or cell towers can take time to repair.
• Continue using backup methods and stay alert for updates via radio or in-person notices.

 Final Tip:

In an emergency, CALL 9-1-1 to report life-threatening danger, not for general information. Use local non-emergency numbers or go to physical information points if needed. You can find more tips for preparing in OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready toolkit.

Salem, OR – The State Library Board will meet from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025, at the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, 47106 Wildhorse Blvd, Pendleton, Oregon and online.  This is a public meeting; those who would like to attend should contact Susan Westin at susan.westin@slo.oregon.gov. See the agenda below.

Questions or concerns can be addressed to Wendy Cornelisen, State Librarian at 503-378-4367 or nelisen@slo.oregon.gov">wendy.cornelisen@slo.oregon.gov. Sign language interpretation will be provided for the public if requested 48 hours before the meeting; notice 72 hours before the meeting is preferred.  Handouts of meeting materials may also be requested in an alternate format 72 hours before the meeting.  Requests may be made to Susan Westin at susan.westin@slo.oregon.gov.     

STATE LIBRARY BOARD MEETING

July 25, 2025

Tamástslikt Cultural Institute

Pendleton, OR

Anne-Marie Deitering, Chair

Agenda

9:00 a.m.         Approval of the Minutes – April 23 Meeting                                      Deitering

9:05                 Public Comment                                                                            

9:10                 Reports of the Board Chair and Members                                         Deitering

9:45                 Report of the State Librarian                                                              Cornelisen

10:00               Budget Report                                                                                     Cornelisen

10:15               Quarterly Strategic Plan Report                                                          Cornelisen

10:20               Quarterly Statistics                                                                             Cornelisen

10:30               Break                                                                                                  

10:45               LSTA FY25 Budget                                                                               Nielsen

11:05               Minimum Conditions                                                                          Nielsen

11:25               Customer Service Reports                                                                  Nielsen, M. Robinson,

& Bruton        

11:55               Q&A                                                                                                    Deitering

Noon                Adjournment                                                                                       Deitering

Any person may address the State Library Board on any topic for up to 3 minutes. The State Library Board does not generally engage in dialog with those making comments but may refer any questions or issues raised to the State Librarian.

NOTE: The times of all agenda items are approximate and subject to change.

ROSEBURG, Ore., July 10, 2025 — Umpqua Community College (UCC) and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), members of the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE), have announced a new collaboration, establishing a direct-entry pathway to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. The initiative focuses on preparing psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP) to help address urgent health care clinician shortages in rural Oregon.

Through this streamlined, more cost-effective pathway, students can begin their education at UCC and seamlessly transition to doctoral-level studies through OHSU. Coursework is completed online while clinical learning takes place locally, creating a pathway for licensed, independent practitioners educated to serve within Douglas County.

“This collaboration builds on the OCNE model, removes common barriers like relocation and the associated costs, allowing students to stay local while earning advanced nursing degrees,” said Danielle Haskett, chief academic officer for UCC. “By training future providers who are already rooted in the region, we’re strengthening health care delivery and building a more sustainable workforce for our region.”

Clinician shortages, geographic location and an aging population impact access to care, especially rural communities, and this new pathway aims to help address this challenge. Nurse practitioners, with their nursing and advanced clinical training, are licensed to provide essential primary care services for general medicine and psychiatric care, including diagnosis, treatment, preventive and continuous care treatment plans.

The program expands UCC’s portfolio of health care education options and creates a pathway for students to receive hands-on training on UCC’s campus using the latest advanced training technologies. Students will complete the online baccalaureate in nursing and then be admitted to the PMHNP Distance Program, which is primarily online, with the flexibility to attend a few in-person lab components at an OHSU campus.

“We are excited to collaborate with UCC on this forward-thinking initiative,” said OHSU Executive Vice President and Provost Marie Chisholm-Burns, Pharm.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., FCCP, FASHP, FAST, FNAP, FACHE. “This collaboration reflects OHSU’s commitment to increasing access to high-quality, advanced nursing education across Oregon. By reaching students where they live and enabling them to complete meaningful clinical experiences in their home communities, we are helping grow a local, resilient health care workforce prepared to meet the diverse needs of rural populations.”

About Oregon Health & Science University
Oregon Health & Science University is Oregon's academic health center and is nationally distinguished as a research university dedicated solely to advancing health sciences. This singular purpose allows us to focus on discoveries that prevent and cure disease, on education that prepares physicians, dentists, nurses and other health professionals for the evolving health care environment, and on patient care that incorporates the latest advances. We are one of Oregon’s largest employers, operating top-ranked adult and children’s hospitals, and secure competitive research funding of more than $584 million. As a public organization, we also provide services for the most vulnerable Oregonians and outreach to improve health in communities across the state.

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

Media Hotline: 503-813-6018 

MEDIA ADVISORY

Celebrating 25 years of inclusive fishing at Merwin Day of Fishing for Kids With Disabilities

Please be advised that the Bulletin does not include all calls for service to which officers respond.  Many calls do not require that a report be written; such as:

•Traffic Stops

•Advising/Referring a Person to the Proper Agency to handle their request

•Restoring the Peace

•Premise Checks

•Welfare Checks

•Flagged Down by Citizen

Lincoln County, OR — The Lincoln County Fire Defense Board has mobilized a specialized wildfire Task Force to assist in battling the Elk Fire, currently burning in Klamath County. The deployment was made at the request of the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) as part of the state’s coordinated wildfire response under the Emergency Conflagration Act.

The Task Force 26 departed Lincoln County late Wednesday afternoon, July 9, expected to arrive at staging by 9:00 PM tonight and, includes personnel and equipment from the following agencies:

• Depoe Bay Fire District

• North Lincoln Fire & Rescue

• Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue

• East Lincoln County Fire & Rescue • Siletz Valley Fire District

• Clackamas County Fire District

The Elk Fire, sparked by dry lightning earlier this week, has burned thousands of acres in southern Oregon, prompting multiple evacuation notices and drawing a significant response from state and local fire agencies. Firefighters are working around the clock to protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure.

The Task Force includes a strike team of engines, command personnel, and support staff, with an initial deployment period of up to 14 days, subject to fire conditions and resource needs.

This mobilization is part of Oregon’s Mutual Aid System, which ensures timely support between counties and regions during large-scale incidents.

[Rowena, Ore.] – As residents return to areas impacted by the Rowena Fire, safety remains a top priority. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and Wasco County strongly recommend property owners not perform cleanup themselves, because of the serious toxic hazard threats posed by burned homes and outbuildings. 
 

Doing your own cleanup without proper protection puts your health at risk. Burned materials are hazardous and require more than gloves and a mask to protect your health. Buildings constructed before 2004 are likely to contain asbestos, which is carcinogenic.

If residents do decide to do their own clean-up rather than hiring a qualified contractor, they should wear appropriate personal protective equipment. 

Before entering your property:

• Wear sturdy shoes, eye goggles, heavy-duty work gloves and an N95 mask when inspecting damage.
• Watch for hazards such as unstable structures, ash pits, smoldering debris and electrical hazards including downed power lines.
• Take photos of damage for insurance and recovery documentation.

Avoid bringing ash from outside to the inside:

• Don’t let children play on or near any ash. Wash off toys before children play with them.
• Wash fruits and vegetables from your garden thoroughly before you eat them. Read the OHA Healthy Gardening fact sheet for more tips.
• Remove shoes before you enter your home or use “sticky mats” in entries and doorways to remove dust and ash from your shoes.
• Keep pets out of areas where there is any ash. Bathe them when exposed to ash.
• Wash off any ash right away if it gets on your body or clothing.

Keep indoor spaces clean from ash. Minimize other pollutants:

• Protect your home from outside air, this includes proper seals for windows and doors. Home weatherization assistance may be available for people with low income.
• Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) or non-ozone producing electrostatic precipitator (ESP) filter in your central air system to filter air throughout your home. There are also DYI air filter tutorials.
• Make sure any air purifier you buy has an airflow rate of at least two to three times the size of the room.
• EPA’s Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home
• California Air Resources Board-certified air filtration devices

See Oregon Health Authority’s Long-Term Wildfire Recovery Healthy Home Advice Fact Sheet for more detailed information.

Smoke may linger even after flames are out. To protect yourself and your family:

• Limit time outdoors and keep windows and doors closed.
• Use air purifiers indoors if available.
• If you have heart or lung conditions, consult your doctor about potential impacts and monitor symptoms closely.
• Visit Oregon Smoke Blog for local air quality conditions and tips.

Additional Cleanup Resources:

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is providing technical assistance and coordinating with subject matter experts to support safe debris management. Guidance on proper cleanup procedures and disposal of fire debris can be found at: https://www.oregon.gov/deq
 

Local recovery and safety resources are also available through Wasco County Emergency Management Long-term Recovery page.
 

Residents are encouraged to sign up for Wasco County Citizen Alert for the latest updates on recovery, road access, and support services.
 

For more information on state-led wildfire recovery and preparedness efforts, visit:
 wildfire.oregon.gov

Salem, OR – 07/10/2025 – Families enrolling children in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Oregon can now choose between the Standard English Book Collection and the new Bilingual English/Spanish Book Collection. They can also select their preferred language for communication during the enrollment process.

In June, families already enrolled in the Imagination Library received an email announcing the new Bilingual English/Spanish book collection option, along with instructions on how to make the switch. Books from the new collection are expected to begin arriving in mailboxes in August.

“Regardless of the language a child knows, the joy of reading should be available for every young learner,” Governor Kotek said. “The expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library with a bilingual book collection throws the door open to that opportunity much wider. This will help improve our literacy outcomes and make sure every Oregon student, regardless of where they live or where they come from, has the opportunity to develop a love of reading before they ever step into a classroom."

The introduction of the Bilingual Collection has been eagerly anticipated since the statewide expansion of the Imagination Library launched in May of 2024. Thanks to funding from the State of Oregon, through the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), and 57 community organizations around the state, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is free for all families with children from birth to age five and available in all counties in Oregon.

“Literacy is not confined to a single language—it is nurtured through the languages children speak at home, the stories they hear, and the books they read with their families,” said Alyssa Chatterjee, DELC Director. “By offering culturally responsive and bilingual books, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program honors the richness of every child’s linguistic and cultural identity. The addition of a Spanish language book option means more families will have access to stories in the language that connects generations. I’m thrilled knowing that for those who choose this option, bilingual books will soon arrive in their mailbox—opening doors to literacy, learning, and a lifelong love of reading.”

Introducing books to children at an early age not only sets the stage to foster a love of reading, it also prepares them to be successful in school and life. The new bilingual collection will enable the Imagination Library to connect with more children and families across the state, significantly broadening the positive literacy impacts for young Oregonians by helping more children build personal libraries than ever before.

“Every child should grow up with stories that reflect their language, culture, and identity. Multilingual kids have a superpower that we should nurture and celebrate,” emphasized Representative Ben Bowman, Chief Sponsor of the legislation that made the statewide expansion of the Imagination Library in Oregon a reality. “This new bilingual collection shows our state’s commitment to making sure every child has the tools to learn, grow, and thrive.”

The Bilingual Collection was first piloted in California in 2023 and rolled-out to five more states in 2024. Oregon is excited to be among the 16 states added in 2025. States that now have access to the Bilingual Collection include Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and West Virginia. For a full list of the 2025 bilingual book collection visit imaginationlibrary.com/usa/book-list.

The Imagination Library of Oregon is free to families. Children can be registered as early as birth to receive new, high-quality, age-appropriate books addressed to them in the mail each month until their fifth birthday. To learn more or to enroll your child, visit www.imaginationlibrary.com/oregon. For the latest Oregon specific content, follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 280 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. This is achieved through funding shared by The Dollywood Foundation and Local Community and State Partners. The Imagination Library mails more than 3 million high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children’s homes each month. Each child enrolled in the program receives one book per month from birth to age five - at no cost to families. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More, Be More.

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

As temperatures rise and the risk of heat illness in the workplace increases, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) reminds employers to follow requirements designed to help protect workers from the hazards of extreme heat. The division offers free resources to help employers comply with requirements.
 

Under Oregon’s heat illness prevention rule, employers must implement protective measures, including  adequate water, rest, shade, acclimatization (gradual adaptation to working in the heat), communication and training, and emergency plans. The rule applies to workplaces whenever an employee is working and the heat index equals or exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. More provisions apply when the heat index exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
 

“Employers need to take the dangers of high heat seriously by planning ahead, engaging their employees about the hazards, and following the heat rule’s provisions,” said Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA.
 

The heat illness prevention requirements apply across industries and where employers provide housing as a condition of employment. Under the Oregon Safe Employment Act, workers have a right to a safe and healthy workplace and the right to raise concerns free of retaliation. Under the law, employers must maintain safe and healthy working conditions.
 

Oregon OSHA urges employers to refresh their knowledge of the requirements:

• Key requirements for general workplaces – English/Spanish 
• Key requirements for employer-provided housing – English/Spanish

All heat illness prevention resources are available on Oregon OSHA's A-to-Z topic index page. They include a video training in English and Spanish that satisfies certain training elements of the heat rule.
 

Oregon OSHA also offers:
 

Consultation services – provides free and confidential help with safety and health programs, including how to control and eliminate hazards, and hands-on training. The services involve no fault, no citations, and no penalties.

• Phone (toll-free in Oregon): 800-922-2689
• Field offices
• Online
• Email: consult.web@dcbs.oregon.gov

Technical staff – helps employers understand requirements and how to apply them to their worksites

• Phone (toll-free in Oregon): 800-922-2689
• Online
• Email: tech.web@dcbs.oregon.gov

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, which includes Oregon OSHA as a division, maintains the Multicultural Communications Program that provides outreach to communities with limited English proficiency. That outreach encompasses information about on-the-job safety and health.
 

The Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers provides help with understanding workplace safety and health rights, and workers’ compensation rights.

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About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BODO HEILIGER ELECTED TO NWAIS BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Election Highlights International School of Portland’s Leadership in Academics,
Community Engagement, and Global Citizenship

International School of Portland

Portland, OR July 9, 2025: The International School of Portland (ISP) is proud to announce that Head of School Bodo Heiliger has been elected to the Board of Governors for the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS).

NWAIS is a network of more than 100 independent schools across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. As a member of the Board of Governors, Mr. Heiliger will help support the future of independent education in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, and Utah.

During the election, NWAIS leaders praised the school’s unique academic program, including its full language immersion and International Baccalaureate (IB) approach. They also highlighted ISP’s deep connection to the Portland community and its focus on helping students grow as global citizens.

“The NWAIS board emphasizes geographic representation, and Bodo’s emergence as a leader and unifier among Portland and Oregon heads made him a natural choice. We also value his positive, often innovative outlook,” said Mark Crotty, NWAIS Executive Director.

Mr. Heiliger has been Head of School at ISP since 2019 and has over 20 years of experience in international education. He has been an active workshop leader for the International Baccalaureate Organization for over 14 years. His leadership in language and cultural immersion, inquiry-based learning, and international-mindedness will be a valuable addition to the NWAIS board.  “I’m honored to join this group of educators who care so much about students, teachers, and school communities,” said Mr. Heiliger. “This is a chance to learn from other schools while also sharing the work we’re doing here at International School of Portland.”

The NWAIS Board of Governors works to support school leaders, strengthen academic programs, and encourage collaboration between schools. Mr. Heiliger’s election helps ensure that a variety of voices - including those from language immersion and globally-focused schools - are part of those conversations.

About the International School of Portland

Since 1990, the International School of Portland has offered full language and cultural immersion in a warm, loving environment that encourages curiosity and kindness. One of only

two schools in the United States to provide three full language immersion programs under one roof, the International School of Portland is also home to the longest-running Chinese

immersion program in the Pacific Northwest. It is also the only program in the country to offer full Japanese language immersion. It was the first school in the Pacific Northwest to adopt the

renowned International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.

The International School of Portland’s world-renowned professional faculty and staff - hailing from more than 17 countries - lovingly engage the school’s nearly 400 students in academics, PE and the arts. With its multilingual and cultural environment, the International School of Portland’s campus is a global microcosm, helping shape children who are open-minded, confident, empathetic and inclusive - traits that encourage them to take responsible action within and beyond our school community. intlschool.org

About the Northwest Association of Independent Schools 

The Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) is a nonprofit membership organization that serves over 110 independent schools across Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. As a leading accrediting agency, NWAIS supports schools through a rigorous process that promotes continuous improvement, ethical governance, and educational excellence. In addition to accreditation, NWAIS offers robust professional development, leadership support, and consulting services to empower educators and strengthen school communities.

A member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and accredited by the International Council Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA), NWAIS is recognized nationally for its commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging. The association champions mission-driven education, inspiring schools to nurture academically prepared, socially responsible, and globally engaged students. Through its collaborative network and comprehensive resources, NWAIS plays a vital role in advancing the impact and innovation of independent schools across the Northwest. www.nwais.org.

Beloved Educator. Trailblazing Leader. Champion for Students and Public Education.

Kelso, WA – With deep sorrow and profound respect, the Kelso community and the broader Washington education family mourn the loss of Dr. Gay V. Selby, a legendary educator, barrier-breaking leader, and relentless advocate for students and public education. Dr. Selby passed away peacefully from cardiac arrest on July 7, 2025, at PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview. She was 83.

Across a remarkable 50-year career, Dr. Selby transformed the landscape of education in Washington state, dedicating her life to learning, leadership, and service. She served as superintendent of Kelso School District from 1984 to 1994—becoming the first woman to lead a first-class school district in Washington—and was named the state’s Superintendent of the Year in 1992. Her legacy in Kelso is enduring, rooted in high expectations, student-first values, and community connection.

Dr. Selby’s groundbreaking path began as the first female athletic director during her tenure at Kamiakin High School in Kennewick. She went on to become the first female principal at Pullman High School, and later served as Assistant Superintendent in Spokane Public Schools, where she led instruction and guided the rebuilding of 38 schools.

After her retirement from K-12 leadership, she embarked on a second career at Washington State University Vancouver, where she served for 25 years as a professor of educational leadership. There, she built a premier principal certification program and mentored over 300 future leaders—many of whom now serve in school districts across the state. She also taught in the statewide superintendent certification program, shaping Washington’s next generation of district leaders.

A proud and lifelong Cougar, Dr. Selby played an instrumental role in establishing WSU Vancouver—serving on the campus site selection committee, helping hire its second chancellor, and chairing the WSU Vancouver Advisory Council. In recognition of her extraordinary service and leadership, WSU named a portion of the Dengerink Administration Building the “Selby Tower” in 2024—a rare and lasting tribute. She was also honored with the WSU Foundation’s Faculty/Staff Outstanding Volunteer Service Award.

Dr. Selby was a tenacious public servant. Appointed by three governors, she served on the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board. Locally, she held leadership roles on the PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center Board for over a decade and as President of the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce, where she earned lifetime membership. She was named Kelso’s Citizen of the Year in 1992 and received numerous statewide honors, including the Barbara Mertens Legacy Award, the WIAA Pioneer Award, and the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) Service Award.

Her love for Washington State University and Cougar athletics was unwavering—holding football season tickets since 1976 and requiring her students to learn the Cougar fight song as a rite of passage.

Dr. Selby’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Washington State University Vancouver, in the Dengerink Administration Building—beneath the Selby Tower. A reception will follow, and all are welcome to attend.

Gay V. Selby
December 19, 1941 – July 7, 2025

May her legacy forever echo through the lives she touched, the leaders she formed, and the institutions she strengthened.

We are forever grateful.

SALEM, Oregon—Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is creating a rulemaking advisory committee to discuss possible changes to sound and equipment standards to All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) use on public lands in Oregon.

House Bill 2232 was signed on March 19, 2025 and became effective upon passage. The bill transfers rulemaking responsibility for ATV safety equipment and noise emissions from Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD).

State parks has temporarily adopted ODOT and DEQ’s rules for 180 days under ORS 183.335(5)(a). OPRD is in the process of reviewing the previous rules and developing permanent rules.

The current rules on noise emissions vary by type of vehicle. Requests have been made for a reduced sound limit in Oregon.

Many states use 96 dBA (decibels measured using the A-weighting scale) tested at 20 inches from the exhaust at a 45-degree angle at half RPM (revolutions per minute).

The proposed changes would update definitions for ATVs and look at other safety equipment standards. The committee will meet online 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2025 to review and discuss the proposed rule changes. The meetings are open to the public and can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/@oprddirectorsoffice5783/streams

The meeting agenda will include discussions to review sound levels and flag requirements to be consistent with other states. Committee members, appointed by OPRD, include individuals from around the state who are members of the off-road community, law enforcement, land managers and impacted neighbors.

After the committee reviews the proposed changes and staff make updates based on feedback and recommendations, the proposed rule will be open for public comment in August 2025. More information about this rulemaking is available on the OPRD website:  https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/pages/PRP-rulemaking.aspx

Individuals who require special accommodations to view the meetings should contact Ian Caldwell, at least three days in advance of a meeting at ian.caldwell@oprd.oregon.gov

The deceased driver has been identified as Alvaro Martinez Cal, 18, of Hillsboro. His family has been notified of his death and asks for privacy at this time.

The medical examiner will determine the cause and manner of death, but speed is believed to be a factor.

If anyone has information regarding this traffic crash and has not yet spoken to investigators, please contact the Sheriff’s Office through non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 and reference case number 50-25-9510.

The roadway is back open. 

One Deceased in Single Vehicle Traffic Crash on Farmington Road

On Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 2:37 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a traffic crash near the 23000 block of SW Farmington Road.

Deputies discovered that a single vehicle had left the roadway, hitting a tree, and the sole occupant was found to be deceased.

The Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART) is responding to investigate, and the medical examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.

The identity of the driver is not being released at this time.

The roadway will be closed between SW Jacktown Road and SW Clark Hill Road during the investigation. Please use an alternate route. 

Hood River, OR — [July 2025]

The Eye Openers Lions Club is thrilled to announce they will be serving both breakfast and lunch at the highly anticipated WAAAM Traffic Jam, hosted by the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM) on Saturday, September 6, 2025 in Hood River, Oregon.

This beloved annual event brings together vintage car enthusiasts, aviation lovers, families, and the entire community for a full day of fun surrounded by classic vehicles and antique aircraft. Guests can admire an amazing array of restored cars, take museum tours, enjoy rides in antique planes, and soak up live music, raffles, and much more. For full event details, visit: https://waaamuseum.org/events/traffic-jam.

Hearty Meals for a Great Cause

The Eye Openers Lions Club is proud to serve hearty, satisfying meals to keep visitors energized throughout the day, while supporting local charitable work focused on sight and hearing programs.

Breakfast (Served in the Morning):

• Pancakes

• Sausage

• Scrambled Eggs

• Choice of Drink (coffee, juice, or water)

Start your day right with a warm, filling breakfast as you check in, set up your show car, or prepare to stroll among the rows of classic beauties.

Lunch (Available Midday):

• Hamburgers or Hot Dogs

  • Served with all the trimmings (lettuce, tomato, onions, condiments, etc.)

• Chips

• Drink

Perfect for families, car clubs, and visitors spending the whole day at the show, our lunch menu offers classic summer flavors with generous portions and friendly service.

Supporting Community Service

Proceeds from meals will help the Eye Openers Lions Club continue its mission of supporting sight and hearing programs in our community. Every pancake flipped and burger grilled helps fund vital screenings, treatments, and accessibility initiatives for Oregonians in need.

About WAAAM Traffic Jam

The WAAAM Traffic Jam is the Pacific Northwest’s premier antique auto and airplane show, held annually at the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon. Featuring dozens of vintage cars and historic aircraft, it offers enthusiasts and families a unique, hands-on look at transportation history. Admission includes access to WAAAM’s extensive museum collection.

• Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025

• Location: WAAAM, 1600 Air Museum Road, Hood River, OR

• Learn More: waaamuseum.org/events/traffic-jam

Join us for good food, good fun, and a great cause at this year’s Traffic Jam! Follow @olshf on Facebook and Instagram for updates! 

Note to media: The victim’s adult daughter is willing to do an interview about this case. Contact Stephen Mayer to make arrangements.

HILLSBORO, Ore- The Washington County District Attorney’s Office has applied for and been awarded $14,000 from the Oregon Cold Case Investigators Association (OCCIA) to reexamine a 1994 cold case homicide. This funding will be used to conduct forensic testing as this office seeks to deliver justice for the victim and her loved ones.

On February 16, 1994, 85-year-old Veta Hardebeck was found deceased outside her home on a rural farm in Gaston, Oregon. Ms. Hardebeck lived alone and was initially believed to have died from a medical condition or accident. However, an autopsy later revealed she was the victim of a homicide. Despite extensive work on this case, it remains unsolved.

This inaugural OCCIA/Brother’s Car Collection Cold Case Grant is administered by OCCIA in partnership with the Brother’s Car Collection. The goal of this funding is to support local cold case investigative efforts on cases where funding has been a barrier to additional investigation.  This funding will allow investigators to submit multiple items to a private lab for advanced DNA testing and analysis.

“Providing justice on unsolved murders is a priority,” said Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton. “No matter how much time has passed, we want victims and perpetrators to know that we will continue to work to solve these cases. We are very grateful for the support from the Brother’s Car Collection and OCCIA to help make this happen.”

In 2020, this office secured federal funding to launch the Cold Case Unit, which has been working to investigate and prosecute violent crime cold cases that involve identified DNA associated with a possible suspect. This team determined 14 homicides were eligible for review, including the 1988 unsolved murder of Deborah Atrops. After fresh investigative work, the victim’s estranged husband, Robert Atrops, was indicted for and convicted of her murder. Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown led this prosecution and also manages the Cold Case Unit. SDDA Brown says this funding will give investigators the resources they need to apply today’s technology to a 31-year-old case.

“We are grateful to the Brother’s Car Collection and OCCIA for this award. Forensic testing capabilities have dramatically changed in the last 30 years, and we are hopeful this funding will provide new leads into Veta’s murder.” 

Those with information about this, or any other cold case in Washington County, should contact law enforcement. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can submit a confidential tip.

Fourth-grade students in Washougal took their science and math lessons beyond the classroom walls through an innovative birdhouse building project. This initiative not only teaches students about local bird species and their habitats but also provides a unique opportunity for cross-grade collaboration within the Washougal School District.

The project kicked off with science lessons focused on local birds. Students learned to identify different species found in Washougal and honed their observation skills during "bird watch walks" around their school campuses. They meticulously recorded their findings in journals, sketching birds and noting distinct features for later identification. Research into the nesting habits of local birds, including American Robins, Pacific Wrens, and Rufous Hummingbirds, helped students understand the specific housing needs of various species and where birdhouses would be most effective.

Simultaneously, math lessons provided the foundational skills for the building phase. Students delved into measurements of length, calculating area and perimeter, and explored how different birdhouse structures cater to diverse bird species. This integrated approach ensured students understood the practical application of their mathematical knowledge.

Columbia River Gorge Elementary School Teacher Samantha Howard wrote the lesson plans used to guide the project, providing both background information about birds and the connections learning standards for math and science lessons.  

Howard said, “Students are eager to connect their learning to real-life experiences with birds. They frequently notice birds on the way to school or during recess and are excited to share what they’ve seen. Their enthusiasm sparks a level of curiosity and questioning that goes beyond what the science and math standards alone can cover.”

Thanks to a generous grant from the Washougal Schools Foundation, this classroom learning seamlessly transitioned into a hands-on building project. Utilizing pre-cut materials, students constructed birdhouses designed to support nesting birds in the community. The project fostered district-wide collaboration: Washougal High School Woods Technology classes created the birdhouse kits, while middle school students from Canyon Creek and Jemtegaard Middle Schools provided direct support to Cape Horn-Skye and Columbia River Gorge Elementary students, mentoring the younger students through the construction process.

Superintendent Aaron Hansen, who wrote the grant for this project, said, “We are incredibly grateful to the Washougal Schools Foundation for their generous grant, which was instrumental in bringing this fantastic birdhouse project to life. It's truly inspiring to see our students not only apply their science and math skills in a tangible way, but also to have meaningful collaboration with older students and community volunteers. This project is a wonderful example of how students can apply classroom learning to real-world projects that support our Washougal community.”

With the grant covering materials and tools, every fourth grader was able to take home the birdhouse they created. The learning continues as students will use their birdhouses to monitor and journal about the birds that nest in their new creations, further extending their scientific observations into the community.

Hansen added, “The success of the birdhouse project was made even more meaningful thanks to the incredible support of volunteers from across our community. Current staff members, Camas-Washougal Rotarians, and Read Northwest volunteers all played a key role in guiding and encouraging students as they built their birdhouses. Their presence not only provided valuable assistance, but also modeled the spirit of service and collaboration that is evident in the Washougal community. We are grateful for their time, energy, and commitment to supporting student learning in such a tangible and lasting way.”

This collaborative project exemplifies the Washougal School District's commitment to providing engaging, hands-on learning experiences that connect academic concepts to real-world applications.

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs has signed a formal agreement with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians that will provide a framework for collaboration and increased resources dedicated to supporting the Tribe’s veterans in accessing their earned federal and state veterans’ benefits.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed Friday, June 27, by ODVA Director Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels and Tribal Council Chairman Delores Pigsley, with Tribal government leaders and representatives, Tribal veterans and ODVA staff gathered to commemorate the historic partnership. The formal signing was hosted at ODVA’s headquarters in Salem.

The agreement will pave the way for the establishment of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians’ first Tribal Veterans Service Officer (TVSO), which will be jointly funded by ODVA and the Tribe to serve Siletz veterans and their families.

“Oregon’s Tribal veterans have long served with honor and distinction, and it is our responsibility to ensure they receive the care and recognition they have earned,” said Dr. Daniels. “By partnering with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, we are committing to a future where Siletz veterans are served in a way that honors their stories, their service, and their sovereign identity. We’re proud to walk alongside the Tribe in building something that will truly make a difference in the lives of their veterans and families.”

“I am excited for the future of our honored Tribal veterans and the opportunity this brings to them,” said Chairman Pigsley. “Not only to support them but to help advocate for them. This memorandum with the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is more than a collaboration or a partnership. It’s a commitment to honoring and empowering those who have served our nation. Their deep-rooted connection to the veteran community and unwavering dedication to their well-being make them a trusted and invaluable partner.”

This Memorandum of Understanding is ODVA’s sixth with Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribes, including the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and, most recently, the Coquille Indian Tribe in May.

Oregon’s statewide network of County and Tribal Veteran Service Offices are collaborative partnerships between the state and counties, or Tribal governments and deliver free local access to veteran benefits for veterans and their families.

Tribal Veteran Service Officers (TVSOs) are trained by ODVA and then accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs through a series of regular trainings facilitated by both agencies. TVSOs provide a wide variety of benefits and services to veterans and their family members, including the development and submission of claims to the federal VA for earned veteran benefits.

To learn more about veteran benefits, resources and services near you, or to schedule a session with your local Veteran Service Officer, visit the website of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs at www.oregon.gov/odva/Services/Pages/Tribal-Veteran-Services.aspx.

Established in 1945, the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is dedicated to serving Oregon’s diverse veteran community that spans five eras of service members. ODVA administers programs and provides special advocacy and assistance in accessing earned veteran benefits across the state. Learn about veteran benefits and services, or locate a local county or tribal veteran service office online at oregon.gov/odva.

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SUMMER CRIME PREVENTION TIPS

Summer brings warmer weather, longer days, outdoor activities and, unfortunately, an increase in theft and burglaries. There are some ways you can help prevent these crimes in your communities.

• Keep vehicles locked with the windows up at all times, even when parked at home. Remove all valuables including purses, cell phones, laptop computers, gym bags, briefcases etc.

• Avoid Home Improvement scams. Beware of anyone offering to perform an unscheduled home repair or asking to gain entry into your home. Ask for identification, contact the company they say they work for to verify employment and ask for authorization for them to be at your property. Never agree to pay for home improvement services until the work has been completed. Don’t sign home improvement contracts without reading the entire contract carefully and discussing anything that isn’t clear with the company and trusted family members or friends.

• Keep doors closed and locked. This includes garages, sheds and patio doors. Burglaries from open garages, sheds and residences are more prevalent in summer months and often occur while the homeowner is outside in the backyard.

• Unattended bicycles should always be locked to something sturdy. Remember when you stop to rest, eat, or use restroom facilities, to take a few moments to secure your bicycle.

• Vacation plans? Have a trusted neighbor or friend pick up your mail. Set inside lights on a timer. Set your home alarm. Use a home security camera so you can check in while you are away. Have a neighbor keep an eye on your house and make sure to leave a contact phone number for them to reach you in case of an emergency.

Taking some simple steps now and throughout the summer months can reduce the risk of crime in your neighborhood.

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

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Last Friday, President Donald Trump signed the federal budget reconciliation bill—H.R. 1— into law. H.R. 1 extends tax cuts that were set to expire at the end of 2025, reduces federal food assistance, cuts funding for state Medicaid programs, and institutes policies that are likely to reduce Medicaid coverage.

The legislation’s deep cuts and profound structural changes to Medicaid will drive new conversations about the future of Oregon’s health care system. In the coming days, weeks, and months, we must move forward together to shape a health care landscape in this state that will be dramatically different from the one we know today. 

It is likely that you or someone you know is on Medicaid. One in three Oregonians has Medicaid (called the Oregon Health Plan) as their health insurance. If you aren’t one of those Oregonians, you might think the health care provisions in this bill won’t affect you. But Medicaid policy and budget choices matter to us all, because the health care system is propped up on a shaky foundation that blends private payments with government funding. When Medicaid falters, the structure begins to shake, risking the collapse of the entire system. 

Oregon is particularly vulnerable. For years, Oregon has intentionally maximized federal dollars to help fund the Medicaid program and expand insurance coverage. Now, with federal funding slashed, our health care system—already burdened by prescriptive and burdensome regulations, rising expenses, and payment that has not kept up with the cost of care—is at serious risk.

Oregon's health care system cannot absorb the cuts in H.R. 1 without significant disruption, and the results may be painful: service cuts, hospital and facility closures, longer wait times, and reduced access to insurance. As a state, we have hard choices to make. Now is the time for leadership. 

Some observations: 

• State Medicaid policy matters, but never more now than today. State policy and budget choices may mean the difference between having providers and hospitals in communities or not having them.
• It’s time to go back to basics. With declining resources, we must focus our resources on the most important services. But what health care services are the most important? And how do we make those decisions?  
• Regulatory relief is a necessity, and innovation is key. The state and federal regulatory environment is a barrier to innovation and cost containment. The decisions ahead will require us to revisit the dollars we are spending that do not impact patient care.   
• Providers are going to have to do hard things to survive. It’s painful in any community when a service closes, but if hospitals don’t reduce services, they may not be around at all. That is the reality many of our communities and their hospitals face. 
• In this environment, we must find structural cost savings. The multi-payer U.S. health care system results in significant resources spent on administrative costs. This includes the administrative cost of insurance, pharmacy benefit managers, and others that don’t directly deliver care. With fewer resources, we need to direct as much of the health care dollar toward patient care as possible. This may mean revisiting some of the assumptions we’ve made about our current system, necessitating a new vision for health care and the political will to execute on that vision. 

The decisions we face are wrenching. But health care stakeholders and policymakers now have an obligation to come together to navigate this new world. That will mean shared commitment and shared sacrifice. But perhaps, in this moment, we can redesign our broken system and find a better path forward. 

Last Friday, President Donald Trump signed the federal budget reconciliation bill—H.R. 1— into law. H.R. 1 extends tax cuts that were set to expire at the end of 2025, reduces federal food assistance, cuts funding for state Medicaid programs, and institutes policies that are likely to reduce Medicaid coverage.

The legislation’s deep cuts and profound structural changes to Medicaid will drive new conversations about the future of Oregon’s health care system. In the coming days, weeks, and months, we must move forward together to shape a health care landscape in this state that will be dramatically different from the one we know today. 

It is likely that you or someone you know is on Medicaid. One in three Oregonians has Medicaid (called the Oregon Health Plan) as their health insurance. If you aren’t one of those Oregonians, you might think the health care provisions in this bill won’t affect you. But Medicaid policy and budget choices matter to us all, because the health care system is propped up on a shaky foundation that blends private payments with government funding. When Medicaid falters, the structure begins to shake, risking the collapse of the entire system. 

Oregon is particularly vulnerable. For years, Oregon has intentionally maximized federal dollars to help fund the Medicaid program and expand insurance coverage. Now, with federal funding slashed, our health care system—already burdened by prescriptive and burdensome regulations, rising expenses, and payment that has not kept up with the cost of care—is at serious risk.

Oregon's health care system cannot absorb the cuts in H.R. 1 without significant disruption, and the results may be painful: service cuts, hospital and facility closures, longer wait times, and reduced access to insurance. As a state, we have hard choices to make. Now is the time for leadership. 

Some observations: 

• State Medicaid policy matters, but never more now than today. State policy and budget choices may mean the difference between having providers and hospitals in communities or not having them.
• It’s time to go back to basics. With declining resources, we must focus our resources on the most important services. But what health care services are the most important? And how do we make those decisions?  
• Regulatory relief is a necessity, and innovation is key. The state and federal regulatory environment is a barrier to innovation and cost containment. The decisions ahead will require us to revisit the dollars we are spending that do not impact patient care.   
• Providers are going to have to do hard things to survive. It’s painful in any community when a service closes, but if hospitals don’t reduce services, they may not be around at all. That is the reality many of our communities and their hospitals face. 
• In this environment, we must find structural cost savings. The multi-payer U.S. health care system results in significant resources spent on administrative costs. This includes the administrative cost of insurance, pharmacy benefit managers, and others that don’t directly deliver care. With fewer resources, we need to direct as much of the health care dollar toward patient care as possible. This may mean revisiting some of the assumptions we’ve made about our current system, necessitating a new vision for health care and the political will to execute on that vision. 

The decisions we face are wrenching. But health care stakeholders and policymakers now have an obligation to come together to navigate this new world. That will mean shared commitment and shared sacrifice. But perhaps, in this moment, we can redesign our broken system and find a better path forward. 

The Oregon Military Museum will host a ribbon cutting ceremony in celebration of the museum’s grand re-opening, July 11, at 9:30 a.m., on Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Ore.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided following the ceremony.

“We are here to honor service members and to educate the public about their service,” said Kathleen Sligar, director and curator for the Oregon Military Museum. “I am so excited to see the looks on people’s faces, I think they’re going to be blown away when they walk into this space.

The exhibit galleries will be open until 12:30 p.m. for a first look at the museum’s four new exhibits:

•             We Are Oregon – Explore the people, technology, and actions that define Oregon’s military legacy on the local, national, and global stage

•             Small Arms, Big Impact – A curated collection of nearly 200 American, enemy, and ally small arms from the 1600s into the 21st century

•             History in Art – Discover artwork by and about the US Armed Forces, their provenance, and the contextual knowledge found within

•             Hall of Valor – A commemoration of the thirteen Medal of Honor recipients accredited to Oregon

The Oregon Military Museum has been closed for renovations since 2009 and will officially be open to the public Saturday, July 12.

Starting Wednesday, July 16, the museum will be open year-round, Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Historic Park will also be open Fridays and Saturdays through September.

The Oregon Military Museum honors, shares, and preserves Oregon’s military heritage and legacy, including the Oregon National Guard, the state’s early militias, and all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Thursday, July 10, 2025 

BEND, OR — As the sun goes down, creatures begin to stir. Moths begin their nightly pollination journey. Owls glide silently through the trees on the hunt for prey. Stars blink to life as bats dip and dive for insects. On Wednesday, July 16, the High Desert Museum invites visitors to celebrate the transition from day to night in the family-friendly event, Welcome the Night. 

From 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, go on a twilight adventure with community partners, Museum experts and local naturalists to learn about insects and bats, meet an owl and much more. The evening program encourages visitors to explore, experience and celebrate the creatures, both small and large, that thrive in the dark.

As visitors arrive, they are handed an adventure card and map that will navigate them through 17 stations located around the Museum. Visitors can get a stamp at each location before turning the card in for a chance at a raffle prize.

Inside the Museum, visitors begin their journey at the station of their choice. At the Winged Things Crafts station, kids can make moth or bat headbands before heading outside to the Meadow to play a Bat & Moth game. The Twilight Art Station invites visitors young and old to create stenciled twilight art using scratch paper. A local face painter leads a station where visitors can get their faces painted with the twilight creature of their choice.  

In the Desertarium, retired entomologist Dr. Jerry Freilich will share with visitors a vast collection of insects and the opportunity to see them magnified.  

When it’s time for a bite to eat, the Rimrock Café will be transformed into the Crepuscular Café, featuring food for purchase by Luckey’s Woodsman. A no-host bar will feature alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

Just outside the Desertarium, at the Red Light Green Light station, volunteers and Museum staff help visitors transition their flashlights and headlamps into night-friendly lights. The adventure continues outdoors as visitors explore the Museum trails.

At Cheney Pond, experts from the U.S. Forest Service will lead a Bat Detectives station that delves into the mystery of bats and their role in the High Desert ecosystem. Learn why bats dip and dive over water and get a closer look at how bat telemetry helps researchers track the movements and behavior of bats.

Nearby, representatives from Pollinator Pathway Bend will take visitors into the world of nighttime pollinators, such as moths, at the Pollination Station. Discover why moths are often attracted to light sources, artificial or natural, which cause them to become disoriented.

“Nocturnal wildlife thrive in a dark habitat free from light pollution,” said Donald M. Kerr Curator of Natural History Hayley Brazier, Ph.D. “Conserving dark skies is critical for nocturnal and crepuscular wildlife who depend on a dark nighttime habitat to survive.” 

As soon as the light dims and the sun hides behind the ponderosas, experts from Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory will open the telescopes. At this station, you can learn about the planets and galaxy as you gaze up into the twilight waiting for that first star to blink to life. DarkSky Oregon continues with a closer look at how light pollution affects not only our view of the stars but also the health and wellbeing of nocturnal wildlife.

Two owl encounters will take place at the E. L. Wiegand Pavilion in the Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center. During the 15-minute encounters, visitors will learn from Museum wildlife staff how an owl hunts in the daytime and at night, using its large eyes and keen sense of hearing to surprise prey.  

Another stop on the adventure is the Forest at Night exhibition. Located within the Changing Forest pavilion, visitors will encounter animated representations of the High Desert’s nocturnal inhabitants on a large screen. Discover how animals with reflective eyes utilize moonlight to navigate and hunt. Gaze up at an interactive star map and explore the constellations that guide migratory birds. Learn more about the exhibition at highdesertmuseum.org/forest-at-night.  

Tickets for Welcome the Night are $10 for adults and children ages 3 and older, with a 20% discount for members. Children 2 and younger are free. Visitors are encouraged to bring headlamps or flashlights as the outdoor trails are unlit.  

Learn more about and get tickets for Welcome the Night at highdesertmuseum.org/welcome-the-night-2025. 

ABOUT THE MUSEUM: 

THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. 

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Salem, OR— With the halfway point of the income tax filing extension period approaching, the Oregon Department of Revenue wants to remind taxpayers who haven’t yet filed their 2024 tax return to do so as soon as they can.

“July 15 may be just the halfway point of the extension period, but for most people who haven’t yet filed their tax year 2024 return there’s no reason not to file now,” said Department of Revenue Director David Gerstenfeld.

Some people may not have filed because they didn’t have money to pay what they owe, but an extension to file is not an extension to pay any tax owed. Those who didn’t file and haven’t paid are only racking up additional late payment penalties and interest by waiting.

“Even if they can’t pay the full amount they owe, they should pay what they can as soon as they can to help lower penalties and interest,” the director said. “For those who can’t pay all they owe, filing a return offers them the opportunity to set up a payment plan with the state.”

Besides not being able to pay, people file for an extension for all kinds of reasons. Some are waiting on additional information or documents. Others are experiencing hardship in the days before the deadline and have to direct their attention elsewhere. Some people just put it off or forget.

“Whatever the reason, as soon as they have what they need, they should file,” Gerstenfeld said.

For some taxpayers, filing can mean receiving a refund.

Several free filing options and in-person tax assistance options remain available during the summer months.

One of those options is Direct File Oregon. More than 13,000 Oregon taxpayers filed their state returns with Direct File Oregon this year. Nearly 4,700 of those filers connected to Direct File Oregon after first filing their federal returns through IRS Direct File, which is still available through the end of the filing season.

So far in 2025, the department has processed more than 2.05 million of an expected 2.2 million returns. That leaves approximately 150,000 Oregon taxpayers who still need to file their tax year 2024 returns.

“Some tax situations are complex and require extra time—even months—to prepare, but most aren’t,” he said. “Filing as soon as you can makes good sense. It can save money and provide some peace of mind.”

Taxpayers with questions can call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), the department accepts all relay calls.
 

The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries (OCHC) will meet in Grand Ronde at the Chachalu Museum and Cultural Center, and via online meeting on July 24 at 9:00 a.m. The agenda includes discussion of the National Register of Historic Places and a presentation on the 2024 historic cemeteries grant projects. The meeting is open to the public and the agenda includes an opportunity for public comment. Meeting information is on the agenda or you can follow this link to register for online access information.

State law established the seven-member Commission to maintain a listing of all historic cemeteries and gravesites in Oregon; promote public education on the significance of historic cemeteries; and help obtain financial and technical assistance for restoring, improving and maintaining their appearances. For more information about commission activities, contact coordinator Kuri Gill at 503-986-0685 or by e-mail at i.gill@oprd.oregon.gov">kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov.
 

Special accommodations for the meeting – including translation services – may be made by calling (503) 986‐0609 or erly.Spivey@oprd.oregon.gov">Kimberly.Spivey@oprd.oregon.gov at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting. For call-in details and the agenda or more information about the commission, visit www.oregonheritage.org.

On Wednesday, July 9, at approximately 1:50 p.m., deputies received several 911 calls reporting a brush fire near Gath Road and Barcelona Road, just off Turner Road. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

The fire quickly spread through a field and reached a nearby building. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) was notified at 1:51 p.m. and responded to assist with road closures as the fire grew. Turner Road at Gath Road and Gath Road at Witzel Road were both shut down. The roads remain closed, and emergency personnel will remain on scene until it is safe to leave.

Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation notices were issued to nearby properties. As of 6:55 p.m. this evening, fire personnel are still on scene mopping up the fire. The Level 3 evacuation remains in effect from Turner Road to Rising Iris Lane and from Turner Road to Barcelona Drive. The Level 2 evacuation notice has been lifted.

One firefighter was injured during the response; their condition is unknown at this time.

We would like to thank Emery & Sons Construction for their assistance in managing the brush and fire line. We also extend our gratitude to the Salem Fire Department, Salem Police Department, Oregon State Police, Marion County Fire District, Turner Fire District, and other supporting agencies for their swift and coordinated response. Special thanks as well to WVCC and METCOM for their support.

Clackamas Community College President runs 1,500+ miles to spotlight student needs

Salem, Ore.,July 9, 2025 — Clackamas Community College President Dr. Tim Cook is making an extraordinary journey this summer—running more than 1,500 miles to all 17 of Oregon’s community colleges to raise awareness of the challenges students face in meeting their basic needs. Chemeketa Community College is proud to be one of the stops along his route, with Dr. Cook expected to arrive on Monday, July 21.

The community is warmly invited to join Chemeketa students, staff, and supporters in giving Dr. Cook a spirited welcome to campus. Attendees are encouraged to bring homemade signs, wear school colors, and line up to cheer him in as he finishes his run into Chemeketa. This is a rare opportunity to celebrate community colleges and the vital role they play in serving over 200,000 students across the state.

“We want to show Dr. Cook the heart and energy of Chemeketa,” said Marie Hulett, spokesperson for the college. “Whether you’re a community member, an alum, or just someone inspired by this mission—we’d love to have you join us.”

Those interested in running the final mile with Dr. Cook are encouraged to reach out to Marie Hulett at marie.hulett@chemeketa.edu for more details.

Dr. Cook’s Run for Oregon Community College Students (ROCCS) campaign aims to raise funds and awareness for the essential needs of students, such as housing, food, transportation, and child care. Donations to support the effort can be made at:
https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/55950/donations/new?tc=39966

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For more than 55 years, Chemeketa Community College has committed itself to transforming lives and our community through exceptional learning experiences in the Mid-Willamette Valley. As the second largest multi-campus district in Oregon, Chemeketa serves 17,500 students annually at its Salem and Yamhill Valley campuses, as well as Brooks, Eola, Winema, Dallas, Woodburn and Chemeketa Center for Business and Industry (CCBI).

Chemeketa Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational institution.

Salem, OR – Jul 9, 2025 – Cherriots is proud to announce that it received zero findings in two major oversight reviews recently completed by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). These results reflect Cherriots ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility, regulatory compliance, and delivering high-quality public transportation to the Mid-Willamette Valley.

The FTA Triennial Review, which occurs every three years, assesses how agencies receiving Urbanized Area Formula Program funds manage grants and comply with federal requirements in up to 23 critical areas. For Cherriots, that included areas such as financial management, procurement, maintenance, civil rights compliance, ADA accessibility, safety, and others. The independent review team found Cherriots to have no deficiencies in any area of its operations.

According to the FTA, only about 20 percent of agencies nationwide receive zero findings during a Triennial Review, making the results Cherriots received particularly notable.

The ODOT Compliance Review, which focuses on agency compliance with both federal and state transportation program requirements, also resulted in a clean report. Areas reviewed included the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF), Special Transportation Fund (STF), financial management, ADA compliance, and oversight of grant subrecipients. Cherriots received no findings or corrective actions from ODOT’s review. Notably, Cherriots also had zero deficiencies in ODOT’s 2021 review.

“These outstanding results are a direct reflection of the professionalism and diligence of our staff,” said Allan Pollock, General Manager of Cherriots. “Earning zero findings in both reviews is a significant accomplishment for Cherriots and demonstrates our strong internal processes and commitment to serving the public with transparency and excellence.”

Oversight reviews ensure that public transportation agencies manage taxpayer dollars responsibly, maintain compliance with complex regulations, and provide safe, equitable, and effective service. Strong performance in these reviews also helps agencies remain eligible for future federal and state funding opportunities.

About Cherriots

Established in 1979, Salem Area Mass Transit District (SAMTD) is a special district covering 76 square miles in the Mid-Willamette Valley between Portland and Eugene. Locally known as Cherriots, the district provides vital service to more than 450,000 residents in Marion and Polk counties. SAMTD maintains a total of 126 transit vehicles across its various services and provides approximately 3.3 million passenger trips annually.

For more information, visit www.cherriots.org.

The following information is in reference to a death investigated by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office. This investigation is related to the decedent recovered from Lake River on July 4, 2025.

This individual was found on 07/04/2025 in Ridgefield, WA.

The name of the decedent: Price, Richard Alan   Age: 57 years

The decedent was a resident of (city/state): Vancouver, WA

The opinions listed on the death certificate are as follows:

Cause of death:  Pending

Manner of death:  Pending

Reports and records of autopsies or postmortems shall be confidential as per RCW 68.50.105. No additional information is available for release from the Medical Examiner’s Office. Refer all other inquiries to Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

Media release issue date: 07/09/2025

Today, a Marion County Jury convicted Maury Wayne Pearson, 6/28/1956, of one count of Sodomy in the First Degree after a three-day jury trial.  Marion County Circuit Court Judge Audrey Broyles presided over the case, and the case was prosecuted by Marion County Deputy District Attorneys Meghan Kamps and Matthew Estrada. 

The next date is a status conference on 7/14/2025 at 8:30 for parties to pick a sentencing date.

Due to the victim being under the age of 12 and the offender over the age of 18 at the time of the offense, Sodomy in the First Degree carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison.

The case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.  Due to the pending sentencing date no further information will be released at this time.

SALEM, Ore. - This legislative session, the Oregon legislature and Gov. Tina Kotek continue to show their support for the Oregon Military Department through ongoing efforts to provide benefits to help strengthen the Oregon Army National Guard.

Two specific initiatives for recruiting and retention support went into effect on July 1, 2025. The first is a $5,000 bonus for a three-year extension for Guard members who have completed their initial enlistment and have not completed 17 years of service. The second is the Enlistment Enhancement Program. This is an agency-funded program where current Guard members and retirees can receive $2,000 payments for any recruitment leads that result in an enlistment into the Oregon Army National Guard. 

In addition to these benefits, the Oregon National Guard offers State Tuition Assistance, which provides tuition assistance for serving Guard members enrolled in an eligible Oregon postsecondary institution and now offers instate tuition rates to Oregon Guard members who live out of state.

“The Oregon National Guard is on track to increase strength by 2% by the end of the fiscal year, but were still more than 1,200 members short of reaching full strength,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Bomar, Director of Public Affairs for the Oregon Military Department.

The Oregon National Guard is authorized to have approximately 8,100 service members, consisting of 2,300 Air and 5,800 Army National Guard members.

“These initiatives assist with the Adjutant General’s goal to make the Oregon National Guard the Service of Choice for Oregonians,” Bomar said.

 The approved legislative actions for the Oregon Military Department this session were met with nearly unanimous bipartisan support.  Some of those highlights include:

1. SB 807 – One-time General Fund of $2.5 million towards Retention Bonus Program:
   1. Allows the Adjutant General to pay a bonus to a member of the Oregon National Guard who re-enlists or extends their service
       
2. SB 798 – In-state tuition rates apply to Oregon National Guard service members who live out of the state of Oregon.
    
3. SB 808 – Provides hiring and promotion preference in public employment for current and former Oregon National Guard members
    
   1. Adds 5 points to current and former state service members’ scores during interviews and 10 points for disabled veterans
       
   2. Provides equity for Oregon National Guard members who did not meet the previous statutory definitions to receive the preference
       
4. SB 5505 & SB 5506 – Authorization for three Capital Construction Projects for the Oregon National Guard
   1. Southern Oregon Field Maintenance Shop – $6.6 million
       
   2. Klamath Falls Readiness Center - $2.0 million
       
   3. Albany Armory Service Life Extension Project - $7 million
       
5. SB 5533 – Solution to a long-term funding issue for OMD IT Division and the Portland Air National Guard (PANG) base
    

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Released File Images of Oregon National Guard Soldiers and Airmen:

220520-Z-ZJ128-1003: Spc. Whitney Badders on rappel during the 821 Troop Command Battalion, Oregon National Guard team-building event, rappelling at the local Fire Department in Salem, Ore., on May 20, 2022. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

200816-Z-NJ272-0003: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team paddle an inflatable boat during training on August 16, 2020, at Cullaby Lake, near Warrenton, Oregon. Members of the unit completed tasks which included a swim test, paddling and maneuvering, and broaching recovery drills during their two-week annual training. (National Guard photo by Maj. Leslie Reed, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

231127-Z-NV612-2003: Oregon Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hernandez, 173rd Fighter Wing aircrew flight equipment, fits a mask to Maj. Gen. Clark Quinn, 19th Air Force commander, in preparation for Quinn's flight in an F-15D at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon, Oct. 27, 2023. Quinn spent two days at Kingsley Field meeting with Airmen and observing their F-15C training mission first-hand. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Shirar)

200506-Z-CH590-0128: Oregon Army National Guard Soldier assigned to BRAVO 1-168 Aviation gives the ‘thumbs up’ as she helps prepare a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at the Pendleton Army Aviation Support Facility, May 6, 2020. Approximately 60 members of the unit are traveling to Fort Hood, Texas, as they prepare to deploy to Afghanistan. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

200914-Z-LM216-0424: Oregon Army National Guard Citizen-Soldiers support the Oregon Department of Forestry with wild land firefighting efforts at the Two Four Two fire, Chiloquin, Ore., Sept. 14. Approximately 1000 Oregon Guard members are supporting overall firefighting efforts with both aviation and ground crews, in addition to supporting county liaison teams and Oregon State Police with both traffic control points and fatality search and rescue operations. (Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Holden, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

230604-Z-GP610-0208: Oregon Air National Guard Tech Sgt. Ron Mercer, Staff Sgt. Sam Ziegler, and Senior Airman Bailey Buck, all 142nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament Airmen, participate in a weapons loading competition, June 4, 2023, Portland Air National Guard Base, Ore. (Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Sean Campbell)

240723-Z-UZ129-5529: U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan Osborne from the Task Force Guardian rotation led by 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team with the Oregon National Guard assaults the objective in a force-on-force exercise during Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) rotation 24-09, Fort Johnson, La., July 23, 2024. The JRTC's goal is to create realistic environments that help prepare units for complex operations. (Oregon National Guard photo by Sgt. Emily Simonson, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

240725-Z-NV612-1069: Oregon Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Ashley Vela, 173rd Fighter Wing weapons oad crew chief, monitors as Staff Sgts. Quinten Green and Samantha Kloss, 173rd Fighter Wing weapons, load live 20mm bullets into an F-15C Eagle at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon, July 25, 2024. Additional precautions must be taken when loading live ammunition into the aircraft, making this training essential to ensuring that weapons Airmen are prepared and mission-ready. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Shirar)

180803-Z-ZJ128-0002: Oregon Army National Guard 2nd Squad, Squad Leader Sgt. McFerrin from 1st Platoon, B Company, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry directs an assault on an enemy position, during the platoon’s Movement to Contact lane, part of the training of the Oregon Army National Guard’s, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC), Aug. 3, 2018 in Camp Roberts, California. (U.S. Army Photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, 41st IBCT Public Affairs)

240225-Z-SP755-1002: Oregon Air National Guard Senior Airman Perry Johnston, an avionics technician with the 142nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, closes a hatch on an F-15C aircraft at Portland Air National Guard Base, Ore., on February 25, 2024. As a traditional guardsman, Johnston works as an ensemble skater for "Disney On Ice" when he's not maintaining electrical systems inside the F-15Cs and EXs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Steph Sawyer)

250315-Z-CH590-4173: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers and Airmen take part in the Mogadishu Challenge event at the urban training village at Camp Rilea, near Warrenton, Oregon, on March 15, 2025, during the Army Best Warrior Competition from March 13-15, 2025. The full range of events assessed the warriors' physical fitness, land navigation skills, marksmanship, and other battlefield scenarios. These included a physical fitness test, rifle qualification, a 3-gun competition, an obstacle course, and a ruck march. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

250314-Z-CH590-3076: Oregon Army National Guard Spc. Justin Slothower, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, takes on the Obstacle Course during the Army Best Warrior Competition on March 14, 2025. Slothower won the Soldier tier competition, completing a full range of events that assessed the warriors' physical fitness, land navigation skills, marksmanship, and other battlefield scenarios. These included a physical fitness test, rifle qualification, a 3-gun competition, an obstacle course, and a ruck march from March 13-15, 2025. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230221-Z-NJ272-0010: Oregon Army National Guard Capt. Kyle Roe, a troop commander with 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment, skis the first of four legs of the men's relay competition at the Chief of the National Guard Bureau's Biathlon Nationals at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vermont, Feb. 21, 2023. Soldiers from more than 26 states and territories participated in the annual competition, which began in 1975. (National Guard photo by Maj. Leslie Reed, Oregon Military Department)

210517-Z-SP755-1027: Oregon Air National Guard Senior Airman Paul Julum, 142nd Civil Engineer Squadron, prepares the foundation for the construction of cabins to be utilized by the Girl Scouts at Camp Paumalu in Haleiwa, Hawaii, as part of an Innovation Readiness Training (IRT) mission, May 17, 2021. IRT Civil Engineer squadrons will be constructing new cabins, demolishing old structures, and beautifying Camp Paumalu from May through August 2021. Innovative Readiness Training builds mutually beneficial civil-military partnerships between US communities and the Department of Defense, providing high-quality, mission-essential training for Active, Guard, and Reserve support personnel and units. According to the recent easing of mask restrictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, IRT personnel are allowed to be unmasked when working outdoors. (Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Steph Sawyer)

190515-Z-LM216-0940: Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. Blaze Bault, a crew chief with G Co. 1-189 AVN, Oregon Army National Guard, pauses during training at Exercise Maple. Maple Resolve 19-01 is located in Wainwright, AB, Canada. Maple Resolve is an annual brigade-level validation exercise for the Canadian Army's High Readiness Brigade and is designed to foster partnership among allied forces. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Zachary Holden, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

July 9, 2025

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

Recreational use advisory issued for Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge due to the microcystin above recreational use values for human exposure. The lake is in Klamath County.

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

Due to the high level of microcystin and uncertainty about accumulation of toxins in fish, consuming fish caught at Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge is not recommended at this time.

OHA encourages people to visit Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and enjoy activities such as camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

Drinking water

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

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

Children and pets

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

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

Symptoms

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

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

Fishing

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

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

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PORTLAND, Ore. —As Oregon continues to experience persistent hot and dry conditions typical of midsummer, both community prevention efforts and swift responses from wildland firefighters are playing a crucial role in keeping large fires at bay. This season, fewer large wildfires have been reported compared to previous years, a positive trend that fire officials attribute to increased public awareness and the dedication of Initial Attack resources.

This summer, the Bureau of Land Management, along with other agency’s wildfire prevention strategies, are delivering real results. Community vigilance has been instrumental in preventing human-caused wildfires. People recreating, traveling, and working outdoors have stepped up by adhering to fire safety practices, following burn bans, and observing campfire restrictions and equipment guidelines. This collective responsibility is making a real difference in minimizing risk across the state.

Equally significant has been the outstanding performance of Initial Attack resources and technology. These critical first responders—including district firefighters, smokejumpers, and aviation crews—have remained on high alert and have responded rapidly to emerging fire starts. Their ability to contain fires during the first few hours of ignition is making all the difference.  These firefighters are using fire detection cameras to alert them to new fires across Oregon and Washington, giving them every advantage they can to detect, respond and suppress the wildfires at the smallest size possible.

“Initial Attack firefighters have been putting out a ton of fires before they get big. A lightning storm last week was causing 60–70 fires a day, and Initial Attack caught them all,” said Richard Parrish, Assistant Fire Management Officer. However, fire season is far from over and the lightning that occurred over the past couple of days did result some large fires and the BLM continues to support our partners with these fires. With many weeks of hot, dry weather still ahead, fire officials urge the public not to let their guard down. Continued attentiveness and adherence to fire safety guidelines remain essential.

Everyone can help reduce fire risk by taking simple but effective precautions:

• Stay updated on and comply with local fire restrictions.
• Never leave campfires unattended and extinguish them completely.
• Avoid driving or parking on dry vegetation, which can ignite fires.
• Ensure that trailer chains are secured and do not drag on the roadway.
• Operate outdoor equipment during the cooler parts of the day to reduce spark risk.

-BLM-

The BLM manages roughly 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.

PUBLIC SAFETY MEMORIAL FUND BOARD

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Public Safety Memorial Fund Board will hold a regular meeting on July 24, 2025, directly following the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training meeting that begins at 9:00 am. at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE Salem. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167.

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. PSMFB Chair and Vice-Chair Nominations

   Presented by Marie Atwood

3. Approve April 24, 2025, Meeting Minutes

4. Budget Update

   Presented by Marie Atwood

5. John Christopher Kilcullen (DPSST #35147); Eugene Police Department; Supplemental Application for Discretionary PSMF Benefits

    Presented by Marie Atwood

6. Next meeting – October 23, 2025, directly following the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training meeting at 9:00 a.m.

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. 

MALHEUR COUNTY, Ore. 9 July 2025 – On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at approximately 12:31 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash in Malheur County near Harper.

The preliminary investigation indicated that a blue Kenworth commercial motor vehicle, operated by Alberto Ruiz Gomez (33) of Hermiston, was traveling eastbound on Highway 20 near milepost 220 when it left the roadway onto the eastbound shoulder for an unknown reason. The operator overcorrected, causing the semi to flip over.
 

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

The highway was impacted for approximately 1.5 hours during the on-scene investigation.
 

OSP was assisted by the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office and the 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.

BOARD ON PUBLIC SAFETY STANDARDS AND TRAINING

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov.

To view the Board'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. Meeting Minutes

Approve the April 24, 2025, Meeting Minutes

3. Fire Policy Committee

a. Fire Policy Committee Update – Chris Heppel, Chair

4. Criminal Justice Policy Committees

a. Police Policy Committee Update – Scotty Nowning, Chair

b. Telecommunications Policy Committee Update – Michael Fletcher, Chair

c. Corrections Policy Committee Update – Jennifer Cameron, Chair

d. Consent Agenda (The following items to be ratified by one vote)

A. Chris Barnhart, DPSST No. 42754; DOC/Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on May 13, 2025.

B. Phillip Barrier, DPSST No. 60490; Lane County Sheriff's Office – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on May 13, 2025.

C. Randy Clark, DPSST No. 23388; Central Point Police Department – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on May 22, 2025.

D. James Damon, DPSST No. 44535; DOC/South Fork Forest Camp – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the CPC on May 13, 2025.

E. Almedina Javor, DPSST No. 61328; Columbia River Inter-Tribal Police Department – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on May 22, 2025.

F. Jeffrey Kienlen, DPSST No. 30358; The Dalles Police Department – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on May 22, 2025.

G. Alan Lynn, DPSST No. 31664; Albany Police Department – No Action

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on May 22, 2025.

H. Kent van der Kamp, DPSST No. 44640; Deschutes County Sheriff's Office – Revoke

Unanimous vote to recommend to the Board by the PPC on May 22, 2025.

I. Committee Appointments

Telecommunications Policy Committee

• • Dave Piercy – Oregon State Police, Appointment to the TPC, 1st term effective July 24, 2025.
  • Rosa Antoine – Association of Public Safety Communications Officers, 2nd term effective October 26, 2025.
  • Gary Bell – Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, 2nd term effective October 28, 2025.

5. Private Security/Investigator Policy Committee

a. Private Security Investigator Policy Committee Update – Dan Lenzen, Chair

b. Consent Agenda (The following items to be ratified by one vote).

A. Committee Appointments

Private Security/Investigators Policy Committee

• • Edward Flaa – Alarm Monitor Representative, Appointment to the PSIPC, 1st term effective July 27, 2025.
  • Scott Creager – Private Business or Governmental Entity Representative, Re-appointment to the PSIPC, 2nd term effective October 26, 2025.

B. Workgroups and Rulemaking Advisory Committees

DPSST recommends the Board approve three separate Workgroups to review and develop recommendations related to the standards and administrative rules for the following private security provider and entity topics:

• • HB 2183 – to review and recommend rules establishing a procedure for recognition of prior law enforcement experience toward completion of the training required for private security professional certification
  • Armed Training – to review and recommend armed training curriculum revisions and supporting rule changes
  • Private Security Entity Licensing – to review the rules adopted in 2024 for the private security entity license (post-implementation review of the new program)

6. Legislative Update – Jennifer Howald

7. Agency Updates – Agency Director, Phil Castle

9. Next Meeting Date: October 23, 2025, at 9:00 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 Board 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.

Please be advised that the Bulletin does not include all calls for service to which officers respond.  Many calls do not require that a report be written; such as:

•Traffic Stops

•Advising/Referring a Person to the Proper Agency to handle their request

•Restoring the Peace

•Premise Checks

•Welfare Checks

•Flagged Down by Citizen

July 9, 2025

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

OHA lifts Nye Beach health advisory

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) today lifted a public health advisory for contact with ocean water at Nye Beach, in Lincoln County.

The health authority issued the advisory July 2, after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters.

Results from follow-up tests taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed lower bacteria levels. Contact with the ocean water no longer poses a higher-than-normal risk.

Officials recommend staying out of large pools on the beach that are frequented by birds, and runoff from those pools, because the water may contain increased bacteria from fecal matter.

Since 2003, state officials have used a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria.

Oregon state agencies participating in this program are OHA, DEQ and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0440, or call OHA toll-free information line at 877-290-6767.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  — Vancouver Clinic has started pre-construction work on a new project in east Clark County where Vancouver and Camas meet. The physician owned medical practice which has been caring for people in Southwest Washington for 89 years, is building a new, three-story, 45,327-square-foot medical facility. The facility will sit directly south of the existing clinic location which opened in 2020 as the first commercial development in the Columbia Palisades area located along 192nd Avenue near SR 14. 

“Southwest Washington continues to grow rapidly, and we are growing with it,” said Vancouver Clinic Chief Executive Officer Mark Mantei. “This expansion ensures that our community has access to the expert care it needs—more doctors, more exam rooms, and more services, right where people live."

The Camas 2 project will significantly expand access to both primary and specialty care. Planned services include:

• Family Medicine and Internal Medicine
• Pediatrics
• OB/GYN
• ENT/Audiology
• Allergy
• Imaging
• Musculoskeletal specialties include Orthopedics, Pain Management, Physical Therapy, Podiatry, and Sports Medicine

The initial groundwork to prepare for construction begins this month, in partnership with Andersen Construction and ZGF Architects. The project will be completed in 2027.   “This project is about more than bricks and mortar,” said Chief Operating Officer Rebecca Birenbaum, “It’s about meeting the needs of our growing community and continuing our long tradition of compassionate, high-quality care.”

Commercial health insurance payments increasing, vary widely 

Salem, OR – The Oregon Secretary of State (SOS) has released an audit of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and its State Procurement Services (SPS). DAS SPS is the central procurement authority for most executive branch agencies and provides services across state and local government.

The audit identified the need for DAS to dedicate resources to a comprehensive compliance program and to provide enhanced customer service to support state agencies with their procurement, contracting and training needs. While the state’s eprocurement platform, OregonBuys, is meeting many of its goals, the audit also identified the need for improvements to OregonBuys’ functionality to improve the ability to analyze state spending.

"State contracting has been difficult to navigate for too long. Both businesses and government agree: it's time for a change. Governor Kotek has tasked me with overhauling this overly complex system. We must make contracting accessible and responsive for all Oregonians, ensuring it works for both government and businesses," said DAS Director Betsy Imholt.

Oregon state agencies rely heavily on procurement and contracting to acquire essential goods and services. These activities come with significant risks and require effective processes and oversight to ensure efficiency, security and equity. DAS SPS oversees public procurement and contracting for the state and holds primary authority over most state purchasing and contracting processes.

DAS agrees with all eight audit recommendations and is committed to making improvements to enhance procurement and contracting processes. 

Neighbors for a Better Crossing Calls for a Current Seismic Study for $7.5 B Interstate Bridge Project

[Oregon and Washinton] – Neighbors for a Better Crossing (NFBC) is urging immediate transparency and a comprehensive, up-to-date seismic study of the current Interstate 5 bridges before any further work proceeds on the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program’s proposed $7.5 billion megaproject.

IBR’s Fear-Based Messaging Lacks Verified Engineering Data

The IBR program continues to rely on a dramatic video—produced by its marketing team—depicting the current I-5 bridges collapsing into the Columbia River during a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake.

“For the past four years, IBR has used this video to instill fear in the public and elected officials to promote construction of a new bridge,” according to retired engineer Bob Ortblad.

However, a Public Disclosure Request filed by Ortblad revealed no current engineering analysis supports the video’s narrative. He concluded the imagery is based on outdated or nonexistent studies.

No New Seismic Studies Released Despite Federal Seismic Grant

In 2022, IBR received a $1 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration to study the bridge’s seismic and geotechnical conditions, including Hayden Island. Despite this, neither the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) nor the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has released any current bridge-specific seismic assessments.  This lack of transparency makes IBR’s repeated claims of the bridge’s imminent collapse misleading at best—and propagandistic at worst.

Existing Bridge May Be More Resilient Than Acknowledged

Historical evaluations—including a 2009 ODOT report and a 2007 WSDOT assessment—cited risks related to timber-pile foundations and the bridge’s age. However, Ortblad points to compelling evidence that suggests otherwise: the current bridge’s 90- to 120-foot-long, tightly spaced wooden piles compact soil more than 50 feet below projected liquefaction zones, making them act as a “fail-safe against liquefaction damage.” A Japanese engineering study supports this principle.

In contrast, the IBR’s proposed design uses only six drilled shafts per pier, set in uncompacted soil, and features twin trusses that are twice as long, twice as wide, 50 feet taller, and five times heavier than the current structure. The construction process is expected to require five years of intense drilling, causing significant harm to Columbia River fish and marine ecosystems.

Retrofitting the Existing Bridge Proven Feasible and Far Less Costly

A 2006 Columbia River Crossing study brought together a panel of bridge and geotechnical engineers to assess seismic vulnerabilities and retrofit options for the existing Interstate bridges. When asked whether retrofitting was feasible, the panel responded clearly: “Yes, it is technically feasible to retrofit the existing bridges to the current seismic safety standards.”

The panel outlined concepts for strengthening or replacing vulnerable bridge components and estimated the cost between $88 million and $190 million. This raises serious questions about the necessity of a $7.5 billion replacement project—especially in the absence of updated engineering data.

Despite this, the IBR program proposes demolishing the existing bridges, which currently carry six lanes of traffic, to build a new structure with only three lanes of traffic and one auxiliary lane in each direction. 

In contrast, preserving the current bridges for pedestrian and bike traffic, and constructing an Immersed Tube Tunnel (ITT) could provide 10 to 14 total freeway and local access lanes, along with pedestrian and bicycle pathways—offering greater capacity, connectivity, and safety at a lower cost.

“Taxing and tolling citizens without updated seismic evidence is unjustified—especially when an Immersed Tube Tunnel is a proven, cost-effective, and more resilient option,” said Gary Clark of Neighbors for a Better Crossing. “We need proof, not assumptions.”

Request for Structural and Seismic Data Denied

Despite widespread IBR claims portraying the existing Interstate Bridges as structurally compromised and seismically vulnerable, little verifiable data has been released to support those statements. The bridge, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is entitled to special protections—heightening the need for transparency.

NFBC submitted Public Disclosure Requests to WSDOT and ODOT seeking bridge elevation drawings, dimensional renderings, and side-view illustrations from the Hayden Island perspective. Both requests were denied, despite IBR’s claims to be accessible and transparent with the public. 

NFBC has escalated the matter by filing two separate Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests with the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, requesting information from the IBR program. One request seeks detailed elevation drawings with dimensions, and renderings. The other specifically requests all materials related to the existing bridge’s structural and seismic condition, as well as the development of public messaging strategies related to those topics. Both FOIFA requests are currently pending.

Public Disclosure Undermines IBR Narrative

Bob Ortblad also filed his own Public Disclosure Request and received the 1,622-page I-5 Columbia River Crossing Design Ground Motions Report. Upon review, he found it only models the seismic behavior of the proposed new bridge—and entirely omits any assessment of the existing bridge’s seismic performance.

“My suspicion that the IBR earthquake video lacked supporting engineering analysis was confirmed by my public disclosure request,” Ortblad stated.

Safety Risks with IBR Construction Diversion and Design

Ortblad further warns that the IBR’s construction plan would reduce six lanes of traffic to just four for three years, likely increasing congestion, collisions, and emergency response times. The final design includes a 3% to 4% grade—the steepest of any interstate bridge in the country—and a sharp, steep S-curve on the north-facing Vancouver approach. Ortblad warns that these features could pose serious hazards in conditions such as wind, rain, fog, and black ice

“Where is the data-driven safety analysis of deaths and injuries for this three-year diversion and the final high bridge?” Ortblad asks.

ITT Alternative Dismissed Without Fair Study

By contrast, an Immersed Tube Tunnel (ITT) would save billions of dollars, reduce construction time, enhance seismic resilience, better accommodate future growth, and preserve valuable historic and community assets.

However, IBR disqualified this alternative using flawed excavation and dredging calculations. When challenged, IBR later admitted that their calculations were incorrect in an email to Ortblad.  IBR blamed third party software saying, “Duplication occurred in the model where some excavation quantities were counted more than once. While this error does result in a change in the quantity of excavation material, it does not change the decision,” IBR officials told Ortblad.

There are at least 13 immersed tube tunnels in the United States and nearly 200 worldwide. Notable examples include the Fraser Tunnel in Vancouver, BC and the I-95 tunnel under Baltimore Harbor.Demonstrating the proven success of this technology in complex, urban, and environmentally sensitive settings

IBR’s Ongoing Omissions Undermine Public Trust

The IBR’s failure to disclose updated seismic studies and its dismissal of viable alternatives call into question the integrity of its environmental review process. NFBC believes a full reassessment is essential before construction begins in 2026–2027.

The Oregon Legislators failure to pass a transportation funding bill further underscores the need to reassess more efficient and cost-effective bridge alternatives.

Key NFBC Requests

• Release an updated, independent seismic assessment of the current bridge before construction approval.
• Halt preliminary engineering and the use of fear-based public messaging.
• Conduct a third-party feasibility study of the Immersed Tube Tunnel alternative tailored to the region.
• Ensure the IBR’s environmental review reflects public-facing, evidence-based data.

About Neighbors for a Better Crossing

Neighbors for a Better Crossing is a grassroots organization of residents, business owners, and retired engineers advocating for safe, affordable, and evidence-based solutions for the Interstate Bridge crossing—prioritizing the needs and voices of the communities it serves.

SALEM, Ore. – Adult emerald ash borers (EAB) start emerging in Oregon in early June. However, the majority emerge this month (July). The size of a penny, adults are hard to spot and usually are only found in traps. If you think you’ve seen one, the Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon Department of Agriculture ask that you first make sure it’s not a common lookalike bug.

“You can find a good description and photos comparing EAB to other common insects in Oregon that are also green in color at OregonEAB.com,” said ODF EAB Specialist Kat Bethea. “If you can capture the insect in a jar or other container that’s ideal, but at least try and take a clear, close-up photo. This helps us identify the insect in question much more easily.”

Bethea said people suspecting they’ve found EAB should report it over the phone to 1-866-INVADER or online at https://oregoninvasiveshotline.org/reports/create. Attaching a clear photo is important. Bethea said people who know they have an ash tree and notice a decline should report it the same way.

“Any ash tree can be infested, including native Oregon ash as well as non-native street, park and yard trees. Signs of infestation include thinning and yellowing leaves, bark splitting, D-shaped holes in the tree bark, and basal shoots,” said Bethea.

About EAB

A small, metallic-green beetle native to eastern Asia, EAB was first found in the U.S. in Michigan in 2002. It has since killed tens of millions of ash trees across the eastern United States, with death rates of 99 percent or higher.

ODF EAB Specialist Matt Mills said EAB’s larvae burrow into the bark of ash trees, causing canopy dieback and, ultimately, tree death.

“The half-inch beetle is often challenging to detect, especially in newly infested trees. That’s why ODF, in collaboration with the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, made sticky purple traps available to select landowners, primarily in the Willamette Valley. Those traps contain a lure and are checked every couple of weeks during the summer when adult EAB are flying.”

Mills said EAB is currently known to be in Washington County in the Forest Grove and Cornelius areas and a short distance into northern Yamhill County. It has also been found along Butte Creek between Marion and Clackamas counties, as well as in Woodburn, Mt. Angel and the Yoder area.

“You can find whether you’re in an EAB-infested area or close to one by checking an online map we’ve created. It shows the four counties where firewood from hardwood trees cannot be removed. That quarantine also covers any part of ash, olive or white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus),” said Mills.

For people who want to protect their ash trees before they become infested, there is an effective insecticide that can be injected at the base of the tree’s trunk, said Mills.

“It gets taken up into the tree canopy and is quite effective at protecting the tree from both adults and larvae.”

Mills said treatments must be done every two or three years by a licensed pesticide applicator.

“That’s why we recommend only treating high-value trees in good condition,” he said.” Ash trees planted in the wrong place to reach their mature size, such as under powerlines, should be removed as time and funds permit and replaced with species that aren’t susceptible to EAB.” 

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On Friday, July 11, 2025, Sergeant Eamon O’Reilly will greet our community members wishing to congratulate K9 Radar on his retirement.

The community event will be held at the Public Safety Training Center (PSTC), 600 SW Walnut Street, Hillsboro, between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The media will have an opportunity for interviews with Sgt. O’Reilly between 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm.

Please contact the public information officer to RSVP. 

SALEM, Ore. – The State Land Board voted unanimously today to appoint Kaitlin Lovell as Director of the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL). Lovell will begin her four-year term in early August 2025.

Lovell brings more than two decades of experience in environmental policy, restoration, and natural resource law. Since 2007, she has led habitat protection and restoration initiatives for the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, where her work has focused on environmental regulation, permitting, land use, and innovative financing strategies for large-scale environmental projects. She also played a key role in developing a publicly owned mitigation bank in Portland.

Earlier in her career, Lovell served as salmon policy coordinator and counsel for Trout Unlimited. She helped shape science-based state and federal policies and contributed to Oregon’s first recovery plans for salmon and steelhead populations in the Oregon Coast, Lower Columbia, and Willamette regions. She also worked as assistant university counsel at Cornell University.

Lovell holds a J.D. from Cornell Law School with a concentration in public law and a B.S. in environmental science from Bucknell University. She has served on several DSL advisory bodies, including the Elliott State Research Forest Board of Directors and a committee reviewing Oregon’s wetland and waterway permitting rules.

Lovell will begin her tenure by visiting communities across Oregon to hear directly from the people and partners DSL serves. As director, she plans to deepen the agency’s understanding of local needs and opportunities while strengthening relationships with Tribal Nations, local governments, and community partners and groups.

“The work of the Department of State Lands matters to every corner of Oregon,” Lovell said. “I'm committed to listening, learning, and building trust across the state so we can steward Oregon’s lands and waters together.”

“Kaitlin is a proven leader who understands how much healthy lands and waters contribute to a thriving Oregon,” Governor Tina Kotek said, chair of the State Land Board. “Her long commitment to public service makes her well prepared to lead DSL at a time when stewardship and long-term sustainability must guide our work. I know she will work hard to ensure DSL’s programs and services reflect the needs and values of all Oregonians.”

By Oregon law, the State Land Board appoints the DSL director to a four-year term. The director leads the agency in managing lands to benefit schools, protects waterways and wetlands, and oversees South Slough Reserve and the Elliott State Research Forest.

Vicki Walker, who served as DSL director from 2018 until her retirement on June 30, announced her intent to step down in December 2024.

Until Lovell begins her role in August, Deputy Director Bill Ryan will serve as interim director.

About the State Land Board and the Department of State Lands: The State Land Board consists of Governor Tina Kotek, Secretary of State Tobias Read, and State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner. Established by the Oregon Constitution in 1859, the Land Board oversees the state’s Common School Fund. The Department of State Lands is the Land Board’s administrative agency, managing the lands and resources that help fund Oregon’s public schools and protecting the state’s waterways and wetlands for the many benefits they provide.

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Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has deployed Incident Management Team 1 (IMT 1) to the Klamath-Lake District to manage the Elk Fire in the Bly Mountain area. This is the second ODF IMT deployment in the last 24 hours.

After multiple days of lightning strikes in the area, the firefighters in the Klamath-Lake District have been working nonstop. In support of the district, ODF IMT 1 will take over the Elk Fire so that local resources may focus on extinguishing new ignitions and smaller fires in the district.

“Our firefighters have been all hands on deck after 10 straight days of lightning, which has stretched our local resources thin,” ODF Klamath-Lake District Forester Teresa Williams said. “With the help of ODF IMT 1, we’ll be able to regroup, reassign resources and continue protecting our communities from wildfire.”

The fire is currently estimated to be over 1,000 acres. ODF IMT 1 will in brief at 5 p.m. tonight and take command of the fire at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning. The Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilized a local task force yesterday to protect nearby structures and those resources demobilized that evening. For up to date evacuation information, follow the Klamath County Sheriff's Office or visit the following official site: https://protect.genasys.com/search.

“The professionalism, expertise and adaptability of our IMTs mean that we can answer the call within 24 hours to help our fellow Oregonians and their communities through any emergency,” said ODF’s Protection Division Chief Michael Curran.

As firefighters continue to work to suppress natural-caused fires, reduce the strain on firefighters by preventing new human-caused fires. Follow local regulations currently in place: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx.

SALEM, Oregon—The Local Government Grant Program Advisory Committee will hold public meetings to review grant applications 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 29, 30 and 31.  

The meetings will be held at the Best Western Plus, Mill Creek Inn, 3125 Ryan Dr. SE, Salem, OR 97301.  The meetings can also be viewed via Zoom.

Applicants to the Local Government Grant Program (LGGP) will present their proposed projects for acquiring, planning, developing and rehabilitating outdoor recreation facilities. The committee will evaluate and score all applications and create a priority ranking list of projects to be funded. The list will be forwarded to the Oregon State

Parks and Recreation Commission for final review and approval.

A schedule listing applicants and their specific presentation times is posted on the Local Government Grant Program web page at https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/pages/GRA-lggp.aspx#2 . A link to view the Zoom meeting will also be posted at the site.

The LGGP Advisory Committee consists of ten members who represent cities, counties, park and recreation districts, port districts, people with disabilities and the general public. They also represent various geographic areas of the state. 

The LGGP was established in 1999 to direct a portion of state lottery revenue to award grants to eligible applicants for outdoor park and recreation projects. The program is administered by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). 

For more information about the LGGP, visit oprdgrants.org.

Thank you, Happy Valley!

Thanks to the cooperation, responsibility, and community spirit of our residents, the City of Happy Valley is proud to share the success of this year’s Fireworks Amnesty Program. In the days leading up to the Fourth of July, individuals turned in thousands of dollars’ worth of illegal fireworks—enough to fill two oversized trash bins-at the Community Policing Center.

This no-questions-asked initiative provided residents a safe and anonymous way to do the right thing, helping prevent dangerous fireworks from being used in our neighborhoods. It’s a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together for the good of all.

“This is the 15th year of Happy Valley’s Fireworks Amnesty Program, and each year we’ve seen our community step up,” said Steve Campbell, Public Safety Director for the City of Happy Valley. “This year was especially impressive-one of our largest turn-ins to date. We’re grateful to our residents for choosing safety, compassion, and responsibility.”

Launched in 2010, the Fireworks Amnesty Program is part of a larger public safety strategy that has positioned Happy Valley as a statewide leader in fireworks education, enforcement, and harm reduction. With more than a decade of consistent outreach and action, the City continues to demonstrate how local government and residents can work together to protect people, property, and pets.

As part of our commitment to education, the City also offers a Fireworks Diversion Class to individuals cited for illegal firework use. This course provides an opportunity to reduce the fine while gaining valuable insight into the broader impacts of fireworks misuse. The class is taught by a team of local professionals including a Fire Prevention Officer, a Police Officer, an educator from the Oregon Burn Center, a veterinarian, and a military veteran. Each brings a unique perspective, speaking to the real-life harm illegal fireworks cause-from burn injuries and fire damage to trauma experienced by pets and veterans with PTSD.

The City’s goal is to reduce the risk of wildfires, lessen the distress fireworks can cause to individuals with mental health challenges, and minimize the anxiety loud explosions cause for our pets. We know that creating a safe, livable, and inclusive community takes effort from everyone-and this year, you delivered.

This effort is part of a broader citywide safety initiative that also included patrols by specially trained Fireworks Task Force Officers over the holiday weekend. Use or possession of illegal fireworks in Happy Valley carries a $1,000 fine and could result in criminal charges.

To those who participated in the amnesty program: thank you for making the responsible choice and putting community safety first. Your actions made a difference.