PORTLAND, Ore.— A Portland drug trafficker was sentenced to federal prison Friday for possessing fentanyl on multiple occasions.

Yesmin Miseal Medina Vargas, 20, a Honduran national unlawfully residing in Oregon, was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison and four years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, in February 2023, Medina Vargas was identified as a leader of a dispatcher-based drug trafficking organization in the Portland area. Medina Vargas was responsible for taking orders from customers and coordinating drug deliveries.

In February 2023, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents executed a search warrant on Medina Vargas’ residence and seized more than 20 pounds of fentanyl, body armor, ammunition, and cellular phones.

Medina Vargas resumed drug trafficking and several months later, in August 2023, Medina Vargas arrived at a controlled buy in Tigard, Oregon, with a minor in his vehicle. Medina-Vargas and the minor were arrested, and agents seized approximately 2,000 fentanyl pills.

On September 12, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging Medina Vargas with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

On November 5, 2024, Medina Vargas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. As part of his plea agreement, Medina Vargas admitted that he was part of a drug trafficking organization that caused an overdose death.

This case was investigated by HSI with assistance from the FBI, Westside Interagency Narcotics Team, and Lake Oswego Police Department. It was prosecuted by Cassady A. Adams, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin. A 2-milligram dose of fentanyl—a few grains of the substance—is enough to kill an average adult male. The wide availability of illicit fentanyl in Oregon has caused a dramatic increase in overdose deaths throughout the state.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.

If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, please call the Lines for Life substance abuse helpline at 1-800-923-4357 or visit www.linesforlife.org. Phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also text “RecoveryNow” to 839863 between 2pm and 6pm Pacific Time daily.

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland man has been charged with distributing fentanyl and possessing a firearm following a fatal overdose investigation by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.

Daryl Antonio Edward Turner, 43, has been charged by criminal complaint with distribution of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, on June 2, 2025, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a suspected fatal overdose near Wood Village, Oregon. Deputies seized a substance suspected to be fentanyl from the scene and quickly developed leads of the alleged fentanyl supply source, later identified as Turner.  

On June 5, 2025, investigators contacted Turner in Portland and seized a firearm, counterfeit pills suspected to contain fentanyl, and $922 in cash. When questioned by investigators, Turner admitted that he possessed fentanyl for further distribution, acknowledged the dangers of fentanyl, and was aware the substance could kill people.

Turner made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Multnomah County Dangerous Drug Team (DDT). It is being prosecuted by AUSA Scott Kerin, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

The Multnomah County DDT is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program (HIDTA) and is composed of members from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Multnomah County Parole and Probation, Gresham Police Department, the FBI, and U.S. Marshal’s Service (USMS).

The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives.

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

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin. A 2-milligram dose of fentanyl—a few grains of the substance—is enough to kill an average adult male. The wide availability of illicit fentanyl in Oregon has caused a dramatic increase in overdose deaths throughout the state.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.

If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, please call the Lines for Life substance abuse helpline at 1-800-923-4357 or visit www.linesforlife.org. Phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also text “RecoveryNow” to 839863 between 2pm and 6pm Pacific Time daily.

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This original exhibition on one Oregon family examines questions of citizenship and belonging in America.

PRESS TOUR: Please join us for an exhibition tour with Barbara Yasui and Maija Yasui on Thursday, June 12, at 9am. Please RSVP to achel.randles@ohs.org">rachel.randles@ohs.org if you plan to attend.

PRESS KIT: Download press images at bit.ly/yasuipress.

Portland, OR — Opening Friday, June 13 at the Oregon Historical Society, the original exhibition The Yasui Family: An American Story examines relevant questions about citizenship, immigration, and belonging through the lens of one Oregon family.

“The history of the Yasui family is both unique and similar to the experiences of other immigrants to the United States, and it truly reflects the complexity of the American story. All of us at OHS are very grateful that the Yasui family has entrusted us with their compelling collection of family history, thereby allowing us to share an incredibly timely story of the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship,” said OHS Boyle Family Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk.

Members of the Yasui family were among the millions of immigrants who came to the United States seeking new opportunities during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The exhibition follows in particular the story of Masuo Yasui, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1903 at the age of 16. He joined his brothers and his father working for the Oregon Short Line, where he stayed for two years before moving to Portland. While many Issei (first-generation Japanese immigrants) saved money so they could create a better life if they returned to Japan, Masuo saw few prospects in returning and instead chose to pursue his own ambitions in America.

In 1908, Masuo moved to Hood River, a city which had an established community of Japanese immigrants who came to the valley to work in agriculture and logging. Along with his brother Renichi Fujimoto, Masuo opened the Yasui Bros. Co. store, which carried a mixture of Japanese and western goods — examples of which are on display in the exhibition inside an immersive storefront. While they were not the first store in Hood River to carry Japanese goods, they were the most successful.

Racism and oppression were common, yet Nikkei (Japanese immigrants and their descendants) like the Yasui family persisted in establishing roots in Oregon, starting families and businesses, and shaping the social and economic fabric of the communities where they lived.

However, life for people of Japanese descent drastically changed when the Empire of Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, flaming existing anti-Japanese propaganda and inciting further violence and exclusion. 

The day after the Pearl Harbor attack, the U.S. Treasury Department shut down the Yasui Bros. Co. store. Renichi was briefly allowed to reopen the store for a month-long liquidation sale before it was closed completely on April 18, 1942, after 34 years in operation; it never reopened.

Under the authority of the Alien Enemies Act, Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Army agents detained pre-selected “enemy aliens,” mainly Issei community leaders such as Masuo Yasui. Although not officially charged with a crime, Masuo was arrested five days after the Pearl Harbor attack.

Several weeks later, on February 19, 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which authorized the U.S. government to forcibly remove over 110,000 Nikkei — including U.S. citizens — from their homes and send them to concentration camps, often in remote areas. Life in the camps was physically, mentally, and emotionally harsh, and Nikkei remained there for the majority of World War II. After the war, many members of the Yasui family returned to Oregon, although some incarcerees chose not to return home due to persistent racism in their communities.

In the decades after incarceration, Japanese Americans fought for restoration of their civil rights, monetary compensation, and most importantly, an apology from the U.S. government. Thanks to the tireless work of activists, including members of the Yasui family like Masuo’s son, Minoru Yasui, the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 was passed. It included a formal apology and $20,000 in monetary compensation to every surviving U.S. citizen or legal resident of Japanese ancestry incarcerated during World War II — though by then, many former incarcerees had already died. For his attempts to challenge the constitutionality of wartime curfew, Minoru was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015, the only Oregonian to receive the award.

Like many families, generations of the Yasui family have preserved their traditions, history, and ongoing legacy. It is through their photographs and personal correspondence, business records, and belongings — many now in the care of the Oregon Historical Society — as well as firsthand accounts that historians have insights into the lives of Japanese immigrants and their families in Oregon during the twentieth century.

“Most Americans have immigration as part of their family history, and I hope that visitors can see parallels from their own experiences and those of their families in the Yasui story. The Yasui family’s commitment to activism and bettering their community is not only a source of inspiration but is a call to action to fight for justice and equality,” said OHS Curator of Exhibitions Megan Lallier-Barron.

The Yasui Family: An American Story is on view at the Oregon Historical Society from June 13, 2025, through September 6, 2026.

The Oregon Historical Society’s museum is open daily in downtown Portland, from 10am to 5pm Monday through Saturday and 12pm to 5pm on Sunday. Admission is free every day for youth 17 and under, OHS members, and residents of Multnomah County.

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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.

June 9, 2025

Public hearings scheduled for June 23 and 25

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) published a draft Action Plan Amendment for a $422 million disaster recovery grant and is seeking public input on the changes. Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) is administered through a suite of programs, also known as “ReOregon.” These programs support individuals, households, and communities as they continue to recover from the 2020 Labor Day wildfires and straight-line winds.

The draft Action Plan Amendment would reallocate program funds to support the Gates Wastewater Collection System project in Marion County so it can meet the grant’s timelines and streamline construction. This project is critical for wildfire recovery and increasing housing supply. A short summary of the key elements of the plan and the entire draft Action Plan Amendment is available for review on OHCS’ website at https://re.oregon.gov.

Public comment on the draft Action Plan Amendment will be taken for 30 days through public hearings, online form, email, mail, or telephone. The hearings will include a short presentation by Marion County representatives and OHCS officials, followed by public feedback. Printed copies of the plan will be available by request.

Public hearing details:

When: Monday, June 23

Doors open: 5:30 p.m.

Public hearing: 6 p.m.

Where: Marion County Board of Commissioners Board Room, 555 Court St. NE, Suite 5232, Salem

For those who cannot attend in person, a virtual hearing on Zoom will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 25. Please register to attend.

Information presented at the public hearings will be available on the ReOregon website at re.oregon.gov. Spanish translation services will be available at all the public hearings. Please email hcs_housinginfo@oregon.gov if you need special accommodations.

In addition to providing comment at the hearings, the public will be able to do so by:

• E-mail: hcs_housinginfo@oregon.gov
• Online form:
  • English: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/01973bb258ac77e3a4fdb47a0bc601f2
  • Spanish: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/01973cd96f8a7b50b47661f3d5c4d016
• Phone: 877-510-6800
• Mail: OHCS, 725 Summer St. NE, Suite B, Salem, OR 97301-1266

All comments must be submitted to OHCS no later than 11:59 p.m. July 9, 2025.

After the 30-day public comment period, feedback will be incorporated into the plan before OHCS submits it to HUD for review and approval, which can take up to 45 days. As required by HUD, OHCS will address all comments received.

To learn more about ReOregon programs, visit re.oregon.gov or sign up to receive e-mail notifications.

About Oregon Housing and Community Services 
OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs. 

9 de junio de 2025

Contacto para medios de comunicación:

Delia Hernández, 503-986-2051

equests@hcs.oregon.gov">HCS.mediarequests@hcs.oregon.gov

Se solicita opinión pública para una propuesta de Enmienda Sustancial para los fondos designados a la recuperación de desastres

Se programan audiencias públicas para el 23 y 25 de junio

SALEM, Ore. – El Departamento de Vivienda y Servicios Comunitarios (OHCS, por sus siglas en inglés) ha publicado una propuesta de Enmienda al Plan de Acción para los $422 millones en fondos federales para la recuperación de desastres y solicita opinión pública ante los cambios.

OHCS administra un conjunto de programas conocidos como “ReOregon”, que apoyan a las personas, hogares y comunidades a medida que continúan recuperándose de los incendios forestales del Día del Trabajo de 2020 y los vientos en línea recta.

OHCS está buscando comentarios del público sobre la propuesta de Enmienda del Plan de Acción, que reasigna los fondos del programa para apoyar el proyecto del Sistema de Recolección de Aguas Residuales de Gates para que pueda cumplir con los plazos de la subvención y agilizar la construcción. Este proyecto es fundamental para la recuperación tras el incendio forestal y para la construcción de nuevas viviendas. Puede consultarse un breve resumen de los elementos clave del plan y el proyecto completo de Enmienda del Plan de Acción en el sitio web de la OHCS: https://re.oregon.gov. 

Se invita a los miembros de la comunidad a dar su opinión sobre la propuesta de Enmienda al Plan de Acción a través de un período de comentarios de 30 días. OHCS solicitará comentarios a través de audiencias públicas, formulario en línea, correo electrónico, correo postal o teléfono. Las audiencias incluirán una breve presentación de parte de funcionarios de OHCS, seguida de comentarios del público. Se podrán solicitar copias impresas del plan.

Aquí los detalles de la audiencia pública:

Cuándo: Lunes, 23 de junio

Puertas abiertas: 5:30 p.m.

Audiencia comienza: 6 p.m.

Dónde: Marion County Board of Commissioners Board Room, 555 Court St. NE, Suite 5232, Salem

Para quienes no puedan asistir en persona, se llevará a cabo una audiencia por internet en Zoom a las 6 p.m. el miércoles 25 de junio. Por favor, regístrese para asistir.

Toda la información presentada en las audiencias públicas estará disponible en el sitio de internet de ReOregon, re.oregon.gov. En las audiencias públicas habrá servicios de traducción al español. Si necesita algún servicio especial, envíe un correo electrónico a hcs_housinginfo@oregon.gov.

Además de presentar comentarios en las audiencias, el público podrá hacerlo a través de:

• Correo electrónico: hcs_housinginfo@oregon.gov
• Formulario en internet:
  • Inglés: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/595b3469a058469e9b296542f3b7251e
  • Español: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/db5e76cc2e8947c1a73eeb3114eff277
• Teléfono: 877-510-6800
• Correo Postal: OHCS, 725 Summer St. NE, Suite B, Salem, OR 97301-1266

Todos los comentarios deben enviarse a OHCS antes de las 11:59 p.m., 9 de julio de 2025.

Después que termine el período de 30 días, los comentarios públicos recibidos se incorporarán al plan antes de que OHCS lo presente a HUD para su revisión y aprobación, lo que puede tardar hasta 45 días. Tal y como exige HUD, OHCS dará seguimiento a los comentarios recibidos.

Para obtener más información sobre los programas ReOregon, visite re.oregon.gov o inscríbase para recibir notificaciones por correo electrónico.

Acerca del Departamento de Vivienda y Servicios Comunitarios de Oregon (OHCS)   

OHCS es la agencia de financiación de viviendas de Oregón. La agencia estatal proporciona apoyo financiero y de programas para crear y preservar oportunidades de vivienda a precio asequible y de calidad para los habitantes de Oregón con ingresos bajos y moderados. OHCS administra programas que proporcionan estabilización de la vivienda. OHCS ofrece estos programas principalmente a través de subvenciones, contratos y acuerdos de préstamo con organizaciones locales y proveedores comunitarios. Para obtener más información, visite: oregon.gov/ohcs.  

SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon National Guard is scheduled to host a tour of new medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) technology at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Salem at 1:00 p.m. on June 11. 

The tour will showcase two upcoming pieces of MEDEVAC technology: the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) MEDEVAC patient handling system and the Vita Rescue System (VRS) litter. 

A 20-foot transportable mockup of the FLRAA MEDEVAC patient handling system, known as the Future MEDEVAC Cabin Technical Demonstrator, is touring across the country to multiple military installations, gathering feedback from critical care flight paramedics on the system’s design. 

“Due to the Oregon National Guard’s high proficiency and familiarity with MEDEVAC missions, it is the only reserve unit participating in this unique opportunity,” said Lt. Col. Nathan Edgecombe, Oregon Army National Guard State Aviation Officer. “Flight medics from Oregon’s Golf Company, 189 Aviation are currently testing the cabin’s capabilities and their input will directly impact the final production design.” 

The VRS improves search and rescue operations by preventing spinning during hoist operations through the use of gyros and fans. This new technology reduces overall hover time and pilot fatigue during rescues. The Oregon National Guard is one the first units in the country authorized to use this device. 

Live demonstrations of the Future MEDEVAC Cabin Technical Demonstrator and the VRS litter will be conducted during the tour. There will also be a HH-60M Black Hawk display with Soldiers present to discuss Oregon National Guard’s disaster response capabilities.

Media entities are encouraged to RSVP with Lt. Col. Stephen S. Bomar, Director - Public Affairs, Oregon Military Department at 971-355-3527 for access.

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LINCOLN COUNTY, Ore. 9 June 2025 – On Sunday, June 8, 2025, at about 6:09 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 101 in Lincoln County near Seal Rock.

The preliminary investigation indicated a gray Toyota Matrix, operated by Leslie Ryan Campbell (45) of Seal Rock, was traveling southbound on Highway 101 when it left the roadway for unknown reasons, struck guide wires on the south side of the embankment, and ultimately struck a tree.

The operator and only occupant of the Toyota (Campbell) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

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

OSP was assisted by the Seal Rock Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
 

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

LINCOLN COUNTY, Ore. 9 June 2025 – On Saturday, June 7, 2025, at about 3:31 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a four-vehicle crash on Highway 101 in Lincoln County near Lincoln City.

The preliminary investigation indicated a white Chevrolet Spark, operated by Paula Babcock (69) of Donald, was traveling northbound on Hwy. 101 near milepost 119 when it left the lane of travel and sideswiped a southbound white Tesla S, operated by Robert Gates (57) of Salem. The Chevrolet then collided with a southbound blue GMC Yukon, operated by Mary McCarthy (62) of Lincoln City. After it was struck, the Tesla entered the northbound lane and collided with a black Kia Sorento, operated by Diane Rodriguez (65) of Lincoln City.

The operator of the Chevrolet (Babcock) was declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Kia (Rodriguez) and a passenger, James Rodriguez (76) of Lincoln City, were transported to an area hospital with reported minor injuries.

The operator of the GMC (McCarthy) had reported minor injuries.

The operator of the Tesla (Gates) and a passenger, Alena Gates (41) of Salem, had reported minor injuries.

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

OSP was assisted by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln City Police Department, Depoe Bay Fire Department, North Lincoln Fire and Rescue, PacWest Ambulance, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
 

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

On June 8, 2025, just before 10:00 p.m., 911 callers reported that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle near the 6000 block of Silverton Road NE in Salem.

Deputies and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene. Tragically, the pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Silverton Road was closed for approximately three and a half hours while members of the Marion County CRASH Team investigated the incident.

The driver of the involved vehicle, a 58-year-old female, remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with the investigation. At this time, no citations or arrests have been made.

The pedestrian has been identified as Michael Martinez (52), of Salem. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and all those affected by this tragic event.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Marion County District Attorney’s Office, Marion County Fire District, Marion County Public Works, and the Marion County Medical Examiner’s Office.

MEDFORD, Ore. – In the pre-dawn light of a beautiful summer morning, 101 participants gathered at U.S. Cellular Field as they prepared for one of the military's most grueling endurance tests. By the time the sun rose over the lush, green foliage of southern Oregon, Soldiers, Airmen and civilians were already miles into the 18.6-mile Norwegian Foot March.

The June 8 event, hosted by the Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, brought together military personnel from across the Pacific Northwest and local civilians for the historic challenge that dates back to 1915. Participants carried 24-pound rucksacks as they traversed the scenic route, testing not just their physical endurance but their ability to remain combat-ready after a demanding long-distance march.

"This event really showcases how integrated our battalion is with the community," said Lt. Col. Heather Robinson, 1-186 Infantry Rear Detachment commander. "The Oregon National Guard is the military service of choice for many because our members live and work right here in communities like Medford. They serve their neighbors during disasters like wildland fires and deploy to protect our country – it's that dual mission that makes us unique."

The march attracted participants from multiple military installations, including Oregon Air National Guard members from the 142nd Wing at Portland Air National Guard Base and the 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls. Even a Soldier from Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington, made the journey to participate in the challenging event.

"It's a great event just for Soldier endurance and camaraderie," said 1st Lt. Ian Namu, who organized the march. "It's also the 250th Army anniversary, so it's kind of cool to celebrate that with an Army event like this."

Namu, a Southern Oregon University graduate with a degree in Outdoor Adventure Leadership, drew on his educational background to plan the logistics-heavy event. His experience in outdoor event planning proved invaluable, though he noted that dealing with city permits presented more challenges than the actual route reconnaissance.

The Norwegian Foot March originated in 1915 when the Norwegian army developed the test to determine if Soldiers could complete long movements while maintaining combat readiness. The tradition has continued for over a century, with participants earning coveted badges based on their completion times.

"The whole point of this isn't just to get the 18.6 miles done, but to be done marching and then ready for combat," Namu explained to participants before the 5 a.m. step-off. "If you're smoked after this, maybe look at yourself and be like, 'Hey, I need to be like those Soldiers back in 1915.'"

The event drew strong community participation, with local civilians testing themselves alongside military personnel. Owen Neely claimed the top civilian spot with an impressive time of 4 hours and 4 minutes, while 2nd Lt. Wolfgang Seifer, the battalion's intelligence officer, took first place overall.

Local military recruiters provided trophies for the top four finishers, recognizing both the competitive spirit and community partnership that defined the event.

For Namu, this marked his third Norwegian Foot March participation, having previously completed the challenge with other units. His first attempt ended in failure, but persistence paid off in subsequent years.

"First year I didn't pass. The second year I did pass," Namu recalled. "This will be my third one, and it's cool; I get to plan and put it on now."

The successful event demonstrated the Oregon National Guard's commitment to both military readiness and community engagement, bringing together 101 participants for a challenge that tested physical limits while honoring military tradition.

As the summer sun climbed higher over the verdant Oregon landscape, participants crossed the finish line carrying more than just their 24-pound rucksacks – they carried forward a 110-year tradition of military endurance and the spirit of service that connects the Guard to the communities they protect.

                                                                                                            -30-

Released B-Roll: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/965908/oregon-guard-honors-armys-250th-with-century-old-norwegian-endurance-challenge

Release Photos:

250608-Z-ZJ128-1001 – Participants gather at the start line in the pre-dawn light at U.S. Cellular Field in Medford, Ore., June 8, 2025, before beginning the Norwegian Foot March. The 18.6-mile endurance test, hosted by the Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, drew 101 military personnel and civilians, each carrying a 24-pound rucksack. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250608-Z-ZJ128-1002 – Military service members and civilians navigate a stretch of trail during the Norwegian Foot March in Medford, Ore., June 8, 2025. The historic endurance test brought together 101 participants, including Soldiers, Airmen and civilians, to complete the challenging 18.6-mile route while carrying 24-pound rucksacks. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250608-Z-ZJ128-1003 – Four Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment march shoulder to shoulder on a portion of the trail during the Norwegian Foot March in Medford, Ore., June 8, 2025. The century-old military endurance test challenged participants to complete 18.6 miles while carrying 24-pound rucksacks and maintaining combat readiness. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250608-Z-ZJ128-1004 – Staff Sgt. Mitchell Sierra with the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment crosses the finish line in second place with a time of 3 hours and 20 minutes during the Norwegian Foot March in Medford, Ore., June 8, 2025. The challenging 18.6-mile endurance test required participants to carry 24-pound rucksacks while completing the historic military challenge that dates back to 1915. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250608-Z-ZJ128-1005 – Top finishers of the Norwegian Foot March pose with local recruiters after the awards ceremony in Medford, Ore., June 8, 2025. From left: Sgt. 1st Class Andreason, Medford recruiter; Spc. Robert Rowland, third place (3:30); Staff Sgt. Mitchell Sierra, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, second place (3:20); 2nd Lt. Wolfgang Seifer, first place (3:19); Senior Master Sgt. Justin Lafon, 173rd Fighter Wing Medical Group, fourth place (3:48); and Staff Sgt. Garrett Wasson, Medford recruiter. Local recruiters provided trophies for the top four finishers of the 18.6-mile endurance challenge. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250608-Z-ZJ128-1006 – Sgt. 1st Class Andreason, Medford recruiter, presents Owen Neely with a t-shirt and finisher's medal after Neely completed the Norwegian Foot March as the top civilian finisher in Medford, Ore., June 8, 2025. Neely finished the challenging 18.6-mile endurance test with a time of 4 hours and 4 minutes, earning recognition alongside military participants who carried 24-pound rucksacks throughout the historic march. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: June 7, 2025

Traffic team investigates single vehicle fatal collision

Salem, Ore. — Salem police and firefighters responded to the 2400 block of Lancaster DR SE at approximately 2:45 p.m. yesterday, June 6, on the call of a single vehicle collision. The driver’s mobile phone detected the crash and called emergency services.

Firefighters provided immediate medical aid to the driver who was transported to Salem Health where he was pronounced deceased.

The Salem Police Traffic Team’s preliminary investigation determined the driver, Terry Shawn Calderwood, age 55 of Salem, was driving his one-ton work truck northbound on Lancaster DR SE when the vehicle left the roadway and onto the gravel shoulder, striking a culvert. The truck continued a short distance, striking a chain link fence before coming to a stop.

No streets were closed while the scene was investigated Friday afternoon.

The collision investigation is ongoing, and there are no other details available for release.

The incident is Salem’s fourth fatal traffic collision this year, resulting in four fatalities.

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JCSO Case 25-2970

PHOENIX, Ore. - Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies and detectives arrested a murder suspect this morning during a traffic stop on Highway 62 near Vilas Road in Medford. JCSO deputies arrested the man in connection to a suspicious death turned murder investigation that occurred in Phoenix earlier this week. The victim is Julie Renee Hastings, 60, of Phoenix. Our condolences go out to her family and friends.

The suspect, William Irvin Hastings, 60, of Eagle Point, is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree abuse of a corpse. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail.

The investigation began after JCSO Patrol deputies responded to a welfare check Wednesday night at a residence in the 4000 block of South Pacific Highway outside of Phoenix. JCSO deputies forced entry into the residence, found the victim deceased, and identified suspicious circumstances at the scene. JCSO detectives and Medical Examiners responded and took over the investigation. Oregon State Police (OSP) Crime Lab, Jackson County District Attorney’s office, Medford Police Department, Phoenix Police Department, and OSP detectives responded to assist with the investigation.

This case is active and ongoing with detectives following additional leads. There is no further information available for release at this time.

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SALEM, Ore. – The State Land Board will meet virtually in executive session on Monday, June 9 at 11:30 a.m. to consider employment of the Department of State Lands Director, as authorized by ORS 192.660(2)(a).

The Land Board will consider appointing a Director and accept comment during its scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 10. The June 10 meeting agenda and comment information is available on DSL’s website here. Comment on the Director appointment will be accepted up until the Land Board begins deliberations on the topic, which is Item 10 on the agenda.

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.

The Umpqua Community College Board of Education will meet on June 11, 2025. At 4:00 pm there will be an Executive Session in the Innovation Room (located in the Sue Shaffer Learning Commons & Library). There will be a Regular Meeting at 5:30 pm in room 17 of Tapʰòytʰa Hall (TAP 17). A social gathering at Brix will follow the adjournment of the Regular Meeting. Pertinent meeting information can be found at umpqua.edu/board-meetings

JCSO Case 25-2983

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – A motorcycle and an electric dirt bike collided last night killing the juvenile dirt bike rider. ECSO Dispatch received a 911 call Thursday at 8:56 PM for a crash that occurred near the intersection of Ross Lane and Old Stage Road in rural Central Point. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies, Oregon State Police, and Jacksonville Police Department responded along with a Mercy Flights ambulance.

Next-of-kin has been notified. We will not be releasing decedent information due to the rider’s age and out of respect for the family’s privacy in this difficult time. Our condolences go out to the family and friends.

Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team responded to investigate the incident. The motorcycle rider is cooperating with the investigation and no criminal charges have been filed at this time.

The STAR Team consists of investigators from JCSO, Medford Police Department, Central Point Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. This case is open and ongoing. There is no further information available for release at this time.

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland area drug trafficker was sentenced to federal prison Thursday for repeatedly possessing and distributing fentanyl.

Bexon Javier Calix-Rivera, 21, a Honduran national unlawfully residing in Portland, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison and four years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, in January 2023, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers first arrested Calix-Rivera after he arrived at a prearranged drug deal in Portland. Officers searched Calix-Rivera’s car and seized thousands of fentanyl pills along with significant quantities of fentanyl powder and heroin for redistribution. Calix-Rivera was booked in the Multnomah County Jail on state charges and released the next day.

On May 24, 2024, PPB officers contacted Calix-Rivera in downtown Portland after reports of a person threatening another individual with a firearm. Officers detained Calix-Rivera and seized several hundred fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, and $1,492 in cash. PPB officers again arrested Calix-Rivera and booked him in the Multnomah County Jail, where he was released on his own recognizance.

On June 4, 2024, PPB officers recognized Calix-Rivera from the encounter ten days prior. Officers observed Calix-Rivera carrying a hatchet and engaged in hand-to-hand drug transactions in downtown Portland. Officers attempted to detain Calix-Rivera, but he fled on foot. When officers apprehended Calix-Rivera, they seized fentanyl powder, a firearm, and $755 in cash. PPB officers booked Calix-Rivera in the Multnomah County Jail, and he was released the same day.

On June 11, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count indictment charging Calix-Rivera with possession of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

On March 12, 2025, Calix-Rivera pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

This case was investigated by the Portland Police Bureau and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Cassady A. Adams, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin. A 3-milligram dose of fentanyl—a few grains of the substance—is enough to kill an average adult male. The wide availability of illicit fentanyl in Oregon has caused a dramatic increase in overdose deaths throughout the state.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.

If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, please call the Lines for Life substance abuse helpline at 1-800-923-4357 or visit www.linesforlife.org. Phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also text “RecoveryNow” to 839863 between 2pm and 6pm Pacific Time daily.

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal jury in Portland found Nelson Pablo-Morales, 32, a Mexican national unlawfully residing in Beaverton, Oregon, guilty Thursday for illegally reentering the United States.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, in 2015, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers learned of Pablo-Morales’ unlawful presence in Oregon after he was arrested by local authorities for reckless driving and driving under the influence of intoxicants in Beaverton. In May 2017, Pablo-Morales was removed from the United States by order of an immigration judge. In February 2025, Pablo-Morales was arrested again by ICE officers in Washington County, Oregon.

On March 12, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a one-count indictment charging Pablo-Morales with illegal reentry.

Pablo-Morales faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release. He will be sentenced on June 9, 2025, before a U.S. District Judge.

The case was investigated by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations and was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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PORTLAND, Ore.—The former Chief Financial Officer of Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) pleaded guilty Thursday for stealing money from PSMFC’s health benefit trust account.

Pamela J. Kahut, 67, of Wilsonville, Oregon, pleaded guilty to theft in connection with health care.

According to court documents, Kahut, as Chief Financial Officer of PSFMC, had access to and controlled PSMFC’s health benefit trust account that was created to pay benefits, fees, and other charges for PSFMC employees covered under its self-funded health care benefit program.

On September 21, 2020, Kahut wrote a check in the amount of $2,812.85 from the health benefit trust account to pay for her spouse’s participation in PSFMC’s long-term care insurance program.   

In total, between October 2014 and September 2020, defendant stole approximately $211,083 from PSMFC’s health benefit trust account. Kahut used the funds to pay for her spouse’s long-term care annual premiums, pay off her pension loans, and to pay her credit card bills.

Theft in connection with health care fraud is punishable up to 10 years in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.  The charge may also result in a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gains or losses resulting from the offense.

Kahut will be sentenced on September 3, 2025, before a U.S. District Judge.

This case was investigated by the FBI, U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Department of Energy Office of Inspector General.  It is being prosecuted by Robert Trisotto, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

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On Thursday, June 5, 2025, just before 10:00 p.m., 911 callers reported a serious motor vehicle crash on Lancaster Dr SE at Glenwood Dr SE in Salem.

Emergency responders arrived on scene and discovered a collision involving a vehicle and a motorcycle.

The motorcyclist, identified as 33-year-old Jesse Wadley of Salem, was transported to Salem Hospital but later passed away from his injuries.

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and was cooperative with investigators. A passenger in the vehicle was transported to the hospital with injuries.

Investigators from the Marion County CRASH Team responded to conduct a thorough investigation. Preliminary findings indicate the motorcycle was traveling north on Lancaster Dr SE at a high rate of speed prior to the crash.

At this time, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families affected by this tragic crash.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Marion County Fire District, Marion County District Attorney’s Office, Marion County Public Works, and Willamette Valley Communications Center during the response.

Salem, Ore. – Over the last week, several Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Fire Protection Districts have announced the start of fire season and implemented the necessary fire danger levels and restrictions to reduce the number of human-caused fires.

Fire danger levels may be low, moderate, high, or extreme at different times throughout the year based on local fuel conditions, weather and other potential fire hazards. Public use restrictions on activities are enacted during fire season in an effort to reduce the number of human-caused fires, and may fluctuate throughout the season.

Conditions across the state are quickly becoming more susceptible to wildfire due to reduced rain and high temperatures.

As of today, the following ODF districts have announced their declaration of fire season:

• Southwest Oregon (Jackson and Josephine county) – June 1 – Moderate Fire Danger
• Central Oregon (Hood River, Jefferson, Deschutes, Crook, Morrow, Wheeler, Grant, and Harney County) June 2 – Moderate Fire Danger
• Walker Ranger FPA (northern Klamath County) – June 2 – Moderate Fire Danger
• Northeast Oregon (Wallowa, Union, Umatilla, and Baker County) – June 5 – Low Fire Danger
• Klamath-Lake (Klamath and Lake County) – June 6 – Moderate Fire Danger
• Coos FPA (Coos and Curry County) – June 6 – Low Fire Danger
• Douglas FPA (Douglas County) – June 6 – Moderate Fire Danger
• Western Lane (Lane County) – June 9 – Moderate Fire Danger
• South Cascade (Linn and Lane County) – June 9 – Moderate Fire Danger

Additional fire regulations may be implemented as fire danger level changes throughout fire season.

With the forecast of a hotter, drier summer this year, the Oregon Department of Forestry urges residents not to become complacent in wildfire prevention.

With several districts in or going into fire season, and others not yet there, it’s important to check the local fire restrictions where you live and where you’re planning to travel. Remaining informed of local fire restrictions can prevent you from bringing prohibited fire hazards onto the landscape and from potentially starting the next large wildfire.

Remember, the fewer human-caused fires in Oregon we have, the more you’re helping protect Oregon’s natural resources, communities, and firefighters. For tips on wildfire prevention, visit www.keeporegongreen.org. Check your local restrictions at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx.

Springfield, Oregon.  ESF is on scene of an active house fire in the 500 block of S 5th Street.  The initial reports indicated that the occupants had evacuated.  Engine 5 from our Harlow Station found an active fire upon arrival and entered through a window for fire control and primary search.   A full alarm assignment has arrived on scene and the fire has been placed under control. We request motorists avoid the area until work is done.

June 5, 2025

Media contact: Tim Heider, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Stay safe from climate threats, other summer hazards

Preventing drowning, smoke exposure among OHA tips

PORTLAND, Ore.—As the state prepares for the official start of summer June 20, Oregon Health Authority offers resources to help people protect themselves and their families against hazards of the warmer months.

“Seasonal hazards don’t have to be a bummer for your summer,” said Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA’s Public Health Division. “Making some changes that take into account the weather and activities that happen in the summer can prevent illnesses and injuries – and help ensure that you and your loved ones enjoy the season.”

Here are safety tips for protecting yourself and loved ones:

Drowning prevention

• Avoid alcohol when swimming or boating.
• Make sure young swimmers wear life jackets, and always supervise children in and near the water.
• Don't swim alone or in bad weather.
• Be aware of swimming hazards in natural waters—lakes, rivers, streams, ocean—such as extremely cold temperatures, drop-offs, and underwater branches and rocks that create entanglement risks.
• Learn CPR and basic water rescue skills. It is important to know how to respond in an emergency without putting yourself at risk.
• Visit the Safe Kids websites on pool safety and boating safety.

Extreme heat

• Visit air-conditioned places, if possible.
• Use cool compresses, misting, and cool showers and baths, and never leave children in a parked car.
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially when working outside, avoid alcohol or liquids with large amounts of sugar, and limit caffeine intake. Learn more about preventing heat-related illnesses.

Sun exposure

• Limit sun exposure from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when ultraviolet (UV) rays are strongest.
• Wear sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15; apply liberally to ears, scalp, lips, neck, tops of feet, and backs of hands at least 20 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply at least every two hours.
• Wear clothing with a tight weave or high-UPF rating.
• Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses with UV protection and side panels.
• Take breaks in shaded areas.

Wildfires, wildfire smoke

• Avoid vigorous outdoor activity when wildfire smoke is in the air. 
• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• Reduce outdoor activity time for children when wildfire smoke is in the air.
• If you have a central air system, purchase and install a MERV-13 or better filter before wildfire season; set your system to recycle or recirculate the air. 
• Create a cleaner air space in at least one room in your home by purchasing an air filtration device or building your own do-it-yourself device with a box fan and HVAC filters. 
• Reduce other sources of indoor smoke and dust. These can be burning cigarettes, candles, gas, propane, and wood-burning stoves and furnaces, and vacuuming. 
• When driving, run your car’s air conditioner on the recirculate setting. 
• Visit OregonSmoke.org (Spanish site, OregonHumo.org) to find the current air quality. 
• If you have heart or lung disease or respiratory illnesses such as asthma, follow your health care provider’s advice about prevention and treatment of symptoms. 
• Stay hydrated—drink plenty of water. 

Mosquito-borne diseases (West Nile virus)

• Eliminate sources of standing water where mosquitoes breed, such as watering troughs and bird baths.
• Protect yourself during outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active by using mosquito repellants containing DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus or picaridin, and follow directions on the container.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants in mosquito-infested areas, as well as closed-toed shoes, and tuck pant legs into the tops of socks or boots. Consider using clothing treated with permethrin.
• Visit our website to learn more.

Tick-borne diseases (Lyme disease)

• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and closed-toed shoes, and tuck pant legs into the tops of socks or boots.
• Frequently check your clothing, gear and pets for ticks, and remove them.
• After you get home, check your entire body for ticks, including under the arms, in and around the ears and inside your belly button.
• Visit the CDC's ticks webpage.

Cyanobacteria (harmful algae) blooms

• Avoid areas of water bodies where there are signs of a cyanobacteria bloom, such as water that is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green, blue-green or brownish red in color.
• “Benthic” cyanobacteria mats that are attached to rocks or sand can also be green, blue-green, or brownish-red. Benthic mat material can detach and float in the water, accumulate or become dried along the shore.
• Avoid swimming, water-skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, and other high-speed water activities in areas of the lake affected by a bloom.
• Watch children and pets to be sure they are not swallowing water or coming in contact with cyanobacteria mats in the water body or washed up on the shore or dried on rocks.
• You can report a bloom, or a cyanoHAB-related human or animal illness, directly to OHA though the forms found on the OHA website. Learn more at http://healthoregon.org/hab.
• Sign up for cyanoHAB advisories here.

Beach bacteria

• Visitors to Oregon beaches where a public health advisory is in place for higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria should avoid wading in nearby creeks, pools of water on the beach, or in discolored water, and stay clear of water runoff flowing into the ocean.
• Avoid swimming in the ocean if an advisory is in effect or within 48 hours after a rainstorm even if no advisory is in effect. Visit our beach monitoring website to learn more.
• Sign up for beach advisories here.

Foodborne illnesses

• Clean: Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and running water; wash surfaces and utensils after each use; wash fruits and vegetables before peeling.
• Separate: Don’t cross-contaminate; use separate cutting boards, plates and utensils for raw (uncooked) produce and for raw (uncooked) meat, poultry, seafood and eggs, and keep separate from all other foods in the refrigerator.
• Cook: Heat food to the right temperature; use a food thermometer and make sure safe minimum cooking temperatures are reached—145°F for beef, pork, veal and lamb (roast, steak and chops), 160°F for ground meats and eggs, 165°F for all poultry, 145°F for fin fish.
• Chill: Refrigerate foods promptly, especially foods that tend to spoil more quickly within two hours; thaw or marinate foods in the refrigerator, never on the counter or in the kitchen sink.

LINCOLN COUNTY, Ore. 5 June 2025 – On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at about 3:55 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 101 near Seal Rock in Lincoln County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a blue Ford Taurus, operated by Jonathan Joseph Channels (23) of Waldport, was traveling southbound on Hwy. 101 near milepost 149. The Taurus crossed over the center line for an unknown reason into the northbound travel lane and collided with a white Ram 2500, operated by Kevin Michael Nelsen (54) of Santa Rosa, California.

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

The operator of the Ram (K. Nelsen) and a passenger, Nicholas Nelsen (38) of Santa Rosa, California, were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

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

OSP was assisted by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, PacWest Ambulance, Seal Rock Fire Department, 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.

PORTLAND, Ore.- The FBI Portland Field Office and local law enforcement partners arrested a Columbia County, Ore., juvenile who conspired to conduct an improvised explosive attack and mass shooting at the Three Rivers Mall in Kelso, Wash., on May 22, 2025.

The teen, whose name will not be released due to an effort to limit public disclosure of a minor, was arrested on the morning of May 22, 2025, by deputies from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

The detailed and imminent attack plans were reported to the FBI on May 19, 2025. Immediately, the FBI began working with our partners to identify the suspect who was  responsible for the threat. The subject was identified the next day, May 20, as a juvenile Columbia County resident who shared nihilistic violent extremist ideology and the plans in online chats. The suspect was placed under court-authorized surveillance for public safety concerns, and a federal search warrant was planned and executed on May 22, 2025, prior to the arrest.

The suspect demonstrated the intent and means to carry out their plan, which included precise details such as a map of the mall, a route the shooter would follow, a plan to use an improvised explosive device commonly known as a chlorine bomb to incite panic, and then to shoot mall patrons as they were exiting the movie theatre before ultimately committing suicide at a pre-determined location in the mall.

An alarming amount of indicators of a cogent path to violence were met - at no point in this plan did it seem like the suspect wouldn’t follow through with their plans.

“This plot was as serious as it gets,” said FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Olson. “We, along with our partners, moved swiftly to interrupt this violent plan and to protect our community.”

Initial contact with the subject was made by the FBI, however the arrest was made by local law enforcement on state charges.

The FBI encourages the public to report suspicious behavior to law enforcement, and for parents to engage with their children and have an open dialogue about their online activity.

The Columbia County District Attorney’s office is prosecuting this case.

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2025 Board on Public Safety Standards & Training

 and Policy Committee

Open Vacancy – Recruitments

The Board on Public Safety Standards & Training (BPSST) and established Policy Committees have open vacancies looking to be filled before the end of the year! The current vacancies are as follows:

BPSST: All Board applications must be submitted through Workday.com by July 7, 2025.

• One member who is a sheriff recommended to the Governor by the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association
• One member representing Non-Management Law Enforcement 
• One member who is a representative of the collective bargaining unit that represents the largest number of individual workers in the DOC
• One member of the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council recommended to the Governor by the executive body of the council
• Public Member

Policy Committees: All Policy Committee applications must be submitted by June 20, 2025.

Private Security/Investigator Policy Committee:

• One person representing the retail industry
• One person representing persons who monitor alarms
• One person who is a private investigator licensed under ORS 703.430, and is recommended by the Oregon State Bar (will also serve on the PI Sub-Committee upon appointment)
• One person representing the public who has never been employed or utilized as a private security provider or investigator

Telecommunications Policy Committee:

• One person representing recommended by and representing the Oregon State Police

Private Investigator Subcommittee:

• Currently licensed private investigator

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

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

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

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

Thank you,

DPSST Board & Committees Staff

June 5, 2025

Contact: Amy Bacher,  acher2@oha.oregon.gov" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(6, 66, 118);">Amy.Bacher2@oha.oregon.gov (media inquiries)

Contact: Jessica Malstrom, om@oha.oregon.gov" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(6, 66, 118);">jessica.malstrom@oha.oregon.gov, 541-975-3759 (administrative support)

Health Care Workforce Committee to host an Educational Webinar June 11

What:  Health Care Workforce Committee Educational Webinar

When: Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Where: Virtual Meeting Only. The public can join remotely via Zoom or a conference line.

Join ZoomGov Meeting

Meeting ID: 160 254 9310                    

Passcode: 835104

Find your local number: https://www.zoomgov.com/u/aeJJ7gvWQs

Title: Workforce Wellness

Description: This educational webinar will provide an overview of the Surgeon General's framework for Mental Health and wellbeing in the Workplace.  It presents an everyday decision-making tool that can aid leaders at levels in health and social service organizations in understanding how everyday decision can drive wellness and reduce burnout, key elements of staff retention and patient safety and quality. 

Presenters: Lisa Ladendorff, LCSW, Northeast Oregon Network (NEON), Edna Murrieta, MS.Ed, Northeast Oregon Network (NEON)

For more information, please visit the Health Care Workforce Committee’s website at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/hpa/hp-hcw/pages/index.aspx.

# # #

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written materials in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Jessica Malstrom, om@oha.oregon.gov" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(6, 66, 118);">jessica.malstrom@oha.oregon.gov, 541-975-3759 at least 48 hours before the meeting.

June 5, 2025

Media Contact: Franny White, anny.l.white@oha.oregon.gov">Franny.l.white@oha.oregon.gov, 971-349-3539

14.5% of Oregonians delayed or avoided health care in 2024 due to growing cost

OHA reports track health care spending to help develop solutions

SALEM, Ore. – A pair of new Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reports find health care costs continue to grow faster than the state and national economies. Meanwhile, a new committee is launching to identify effective ways to make health care more affordable for Oregonians.

One report notes 14.5% of Oregonians delayed or avoided health care due to cost in 2024. This was even more common in Southwest Oregon, where about one in five people delayed care, and dental care was most likely to be deferred statewide.

The second report finds that total health care expenditures between 2022 and 2023, exceeding the state’s 3.4% goal by the highest amount since OHA began collecting data for the Sustainable Health Care Cost Growth Target program in 2018.  

The Oregon Health Policy Board, a citizen-led body that oversees OHA, is creating the Committee on Health Care Affordability and its related Industry Advisory Committee. The board will appoint the first members of both committees at its June 10 meeting, which will also include the Health Care Cost Growth Target program’s annual public hearing. Members of the public are invited to share their concerns and experiences with health care costs at the hearing. Email written testimony or sign up to speak at e.CostTarget@oha.oregon.gov">HealthCare.CostTarget@oha.oregon.gov.

Real-world impacts

The first report, titled “Impact of Health Care Costs on People in Oregon, 2024,” draws from a variety of sources such as OHA’s Oregon Health Insurance Survey.

While 14.5% of Oregonians delayed or avoided health care due to cost in 2024, the report notes that delaying care isn’t always an option, “as medical conditions or injuries when left untreated can become life-threatening.” Even though a record 97% of people in Oregon had health insurance in 2024, 11% were unable to pay their medical bills in the past year.

“For people with limited assets, as well as those with considerable medical needs, debt can accumulate over time,” the report reads. “Even a small, unexpected medical bill can become unaffordable.”

For the more than half of insured Oregonians who have commercial health insurance, the average employer-sponsored family plan cost $22,796 in 2023. People paid almost 10% of the median household income to cover their employer-sponsored family plan’s premiums and deductibles in 2023. While that’s an improvement over 2019, when 13.5% of the state’s medium household income paid for family coverage, the report notes the change was likely due to growing incomes rather than declining insurance costs.

The report also notes Oregon households of their 2023 budget on health-related expenses, more than any other category including housing, utilities and fuel. This includes everything household members directly spent on their health care as well as money spent by third parties such as employer contributions to their care. Average health care spending reached $9,255 per person in Oregon during 2023.

Costs growing slower in Oregon

The second report, titled "Health Care Cost Growth Trends in Oregon, 2022-2023,” tracks the state’s progress toward meeting its Health Care Cost Growth Target. The goal of a 3.4% annual average increase per person was established in 2021. Each year, OHA collects and analyzes data from health insurance companies, hospital systems and others to measure what people and organizations in Oregon collectively spend on health care.

Oregon’s total health care expenditures grew 5.2% per person between 2022 and 2023, nearly two percentage points above Oregon’s 3.4% goal. Meanwhile, other states recently reported having even higher health care cost growth between 2022 and 2023. For example, Utah had 6.6%, Connecticut 7.8%, Massachusetts 8.6% and Delaware 9.1%.  

When looking at Oregon’s different insurance markets, the report notes that Medicaid costs grew 9%, Medicare increased 7.8% and commercial grew 6.4% between 2022 and 2023. Total health care expenditures per Oregonian on Medicare – which covers older adults and people with disabilities – was more than double than per person on Medicaid or a commercial plan.

Oregon’s health care cost growth was largely driven by increased prices for health services, medication and more, the report concludes. Cost growth for Oregon’s Medicaid plan was primarily the result of state policies to permanently increase the state’s Medicaid reimbursement rates for behavioral health care and to temporarily increase funding for some hospitals that were hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Drugs administered at a doctor’s office, also known as medical pharmacy, was the service category with the greatest statewide growth and increased 12.6% between 2022 and 2023. Treatments for cancer and age-related macular degeneration top the list of total dollars Oregonians spent on in-office drugs in 2023.

Later this year, OHA will publish detailed data on how costs grew for individual medical groups, health systems and other provider organizations between 2022 and 2023. OHA will also determine whether insurance companies, health systems and medical groups that exceeded the cost growth target between 2022 and 2023 did so for an acceptable reason. Organizations that exceed the target without an acceptable reason will be required to develop a performance improvement plan.

WHEN TO CALL 911       

In times of stress, it is important to know who to contact. Knowing who to call can get the right help when you need it most. Did you know when you call 911 and it is not an emergency, you are breaking the law and tying up resources that may be needed to save a life? 911 should be used for life-safety emergencies, but there are other agencies that can help you with non-life-threating concerns.

Who Should I Contact?
 

Call 911 for any immediate danger to life, limb, or property. Some examples include, but are not limited to:

• House or building fire
• Medical emergencies, i.e., chest pains, trauma injuries
• Someone threatening or attacking you
• A crime is in progress
• Aggressive dog attack
• You hear gun shots in your area
• Vehicle accident
• There is an impaired or unsafe driver
   

Non-Emergency Dispatch

Call to make a report or for non-life-threatening concerns. Some examples include, but are not limited to:

• Unpermitted neighborhood burning of yard debris, illegal firework use, etc.
• Lost or loose animals in your neighborhood
• Noise disturbances
• Vehicle break-ins
• Minor crimes such as theft or vandalism
   

Non-Emergency Dispatch Numbers in Lincoln County

• Central Oregon Coast Fire and Rescue: 541-574-5810
• Depoe Bay Rural Fire Protection District: 541-574-5809
• East Lincoln County Fire Protection District: 541-336-5555
• Lincoln City Police: 541-994-3636
• Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office: 541-265-0777
• Newport City Fire Department and Newport Rural Fire Protection District: 541-574-5808
• Newport City Police Department: 541-574-5807
• North Lincoln Fire and Rescue District 1: 541-994-3636
• Oregon Department of Forestry (Toledo District): 541-265-4231
• Oregon Department of Forestry: 541-929-9154
• Oregon Department of Transportation (Lincoln Co Highways): 503-362-0457
• Oregon State Police Dispatch: 503-375-3555
• Pacific West Ambulance: 541-574-5814
• Seal Rock Rural Fire Protection District: 541-574-5811
• Siletz Valley Rural Fire Protection District: 541-574-5812
• Toledo City Police and Fire: 541-336-5555
• Yachats Rural Fire Protection District and South Lincoln Ambulance: 541-574-5813
   

Local Emergency Alerts

Check Lincoln Alerts and other sources for updated information on local emergency events and disasters.

• Sign up to receive alerts straight to your email or through call/text: https://member.everbridge.net/892807736721689/login
• View sent messages here: https://member.everbridge.net/892807736721689/notif
• Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/lcemergencymanagement
• Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office website: www.co.lincoln.or.us/215/Sheriffs-Office
• The Call Center may be active during an emergency: 541-265-0621

Other Agencies and Resources

Refer directly to the agency to make a report, verify information, or request resources, such as:

• Weather, including warnings, watches, and advisories (National Weather Service: www.weather.gov)
• Driving directions or road closures (Trip Check: tripcheck.com)
• Power outages
• Local burn bans
• Non-emergency ambulance transfers
• Copies of police/fire reports

When calling 911:

• Speak clearly and be as calm as possible.
• State what emergency services are needed and why (fire, police, ambulance).
• State the exact physical address of where the emergency is happening.
• If you do not know the exact address, look for landmarks such as mile markers, addresses on mailboxes, street or highway signs, nearby parks, businesses, etc.
• If calling from a cell phone while driving, pull to the side of the road and park before calling.

If you can’t speak or hear when calling 911:

• Leave the phone off the hook after your call, do not hang up.
• Make noise so that the call taker knows you have an emergency.
• If calling from a landline (a hard-wired phone) your address should appear on the call taker’s screen. If calling from a cell phone, the call taker may get latitude/longitude close to your location.
• Text 911 and give clear information on where you are located and what the emergency is.

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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Springfield, Ore. – Fire season on all lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) South Cascade and Western Lane District will begin June 9, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. Starting this Monday, the district’s fire danger level will be “MODERATE” (BLUE), and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will be I (one).

Earlier this year, fire managers were optimistic regarding this year’s fire season due to the higher-than-normal snowpack and winter rainfall. However, due to the decline in spring rain and rise in temperatures, conditions in the districts are quickly changing to be more susceptible to fire.

Before bringing a fire hazard on the landscape, check the fire restrictions in your local area or the area you’re traveling to.

Beginning June 9, the South Cascade and Western Lane Districts will be implementing restrictions based on fire danger level. MODERATE (BLUE) fire danger level restricts the following activities:

• No debris burning, including piles and burn barrels, unless permitted by the local forester.
• Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited.
• No smoking while traveling through or working in any operational area.
• Use of spark emitting equipment (power saws, mowers, etc.), including the mowing of dried cured grass, is prohibited after 1:00 p.m. and before 8:00 p.m.

In addition to the fire prevention requirements Under IFPL I (one), the following will go into effect:

• A fire watch is required for a minimum of one hour during breaks and at the end of the operational period.

Additional fire restrictions or regulations may apply depending on the changing fire risks throughout the fire season.

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

ODF’s Western Lane and South Cascade District protect state and private lands in Linn, Lane, and northern Douglas County. For tips on wildfire prevention, visit www.keeporegongreen.org. Check your local restrictions at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx.

MEDFORD, Ore. – The Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment will host a Norwegian Foot March on June 8, 2025, open to both military personnel and civilians seeking to test their endurance limits.

The event begins at 4 a.m. at U.S. Cellular Field in Medford, with participants stepping off at 5 a.m. for the challenging 18.6-mile (30-kilometer) route. Participants striving for official completion and badge qualification must carry a 24-pound rucksack or backpack and complete the march within age-specific time standards ranging from 4 hours, 30 minutes to 6 hours. Walking the route and cheering on participants is also encouraged for community members who want to be part of the experience.

"This is a unique opportunity for civilians to earn a badge that's typically reserved for military personnel," said 1st Lt. Ian Namu, who led the unit's preparatory training. "We're excited to share this challenge with our community."

The Norwegian Foot March originated in 1915 as a test of marching endurance for soldiers in the Norwegian military. The strategic goal was to move large units of troops over great distances swiftly while maintaining combat readiness. Today, the event stimulates interest in long-distance marching among both military and civilian participants.
Participants who complete the route within time standards while wearing duty uniform and boots can earn the Norwegian Foot March Badge. The badge comes in bronze, silver and gold levels based on the number of times completed.

The Oregon National Guard unit has been preparing for the event through training marches, including a 6-mile ruck march conducted in March along Medford's Bear Creek Greenway under the leadership of 1st Lt. Ian Namu.

Registration is available by scanning the QR code on the event flyer.

For more information about the Norwegian Foot March, contact 1st Lt. Ian Namu 808-371-0240.

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Released Photo:

250308-Z-ZJ128-1001 – Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment Rear Detachment, Oregon Army National Guard, conduct a 6-mile ruck march along the Bear Creek Greenway in Medford, Ore., March 8, 2025. The march, led by 1st Lt. Ian Namu, served as preparation for the upcoming Norwegian Foot March scheduled for June 8, which will be open to both military personnel and civilians. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

PORTLAND, Ore.— A Portland area drug trafficker was sentenced to federal prison today for his role in distributing illicit fentanyl that resulted in the fatal overdose of a young man in Washington County, Oregon.

Efrain Roberto Diaz-Rangel, 35, a Mexican national unlawfully residing in Portland, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison and four years’ supervised release. 

According to court documents, in April 2023, the Westside Interagency Narcotics Team (WIN) began investigating a suspected fentanyl overdose of the adult male victim in Washington County. In May 2023, WIN requested investigative assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Interdiction Task Force (HIT), and Portland Police Bureau (PPB).

Investigators determined that several people were involved in a distribution chain responsible for selling counterfeit Oxycodone pills manufactured with illicit fentanyl. Investigators identified Diaz-Rangel as an originating source of fentanyl in Oregon and learned that he trafficked fentanyl and heroin for a Mexico-based drug dispatcher.

On June 27, 2023, as part of a controlled buy, HSI special agents arrested Diaz-Rangel. At the time of his arrest, Diaz-Rangel possessed approximately 1,000 counterfeit pills and a small quantity of heroin. Later that day, investigators executed a search warrant on Diaz-Rangel’s residence and located an additional 30,000 counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, four pounds of heroin, and more than $10,000 in cash.

On June 27, 2023, Diaz-Rangel was charged by criminal complaint with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin.

On March 4, 2025, Diaz-Rangel pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

This case was jointly investigated by WIN and HSI with assistance from the HIDTA HIT and PPB. It was prosecuted by Scott M. Kerin, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin. A 3-milligram dose of fentanyl—a few grains of the substance—is enough to kill an average adult male. The wide availability of illicit fentanyl in Oregon has caused a dramatic increase in overdose deaths throughout the state.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.

If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, please call the Lines for Life substance abuse helpline at 1-800-923-4357 or visit www.linesforlife.org. Phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also text “RecoveryNow” to 839863 between 2pm and 6pm Pacific Time daily.

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Douglas County Board of Commissioners

Tim Freeman, Tom Kress and Chris Boice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 4, 2025

Commissioners Issue Proclamation for Nurse Appreciation Week

            (Douglas County, Ore.) The Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Tim Freeman, Tom Kress, and Chris Boice issued a proclamation today at the Weekly Business Meeting calling upon all citizens of Douglas County to observe June 1-8, 2025 as "Nurse Appreciation Week" in Douglas County.  The proclamation was presented by Commissioner Boice, on behalf of the Board and acknowledged that, “Nursing is not merely a vocation, but a calling to selflessly serve others by providing quality, compassionate and critical healthcare to patients during routine medical visits, long-term care situations, surgeries, emergencies and in times of great uncertainty.” A copy of the live video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.

“Wow what a great crowd we have here.  Today is an important day for us, we get to do our Nurses Appreciation Week proclamation.  I want to thank you all for the work you do.  You get to deal with the public when they are having some of their worst days – when they are sick, hurt or injured – your compassion and your ability to be there to help is incredible.  I am always grateful we have you in our community,” stated Commissioner Freeman. 

This week the Commissioners celebrated the men and women of Douglas County that have chosen to serve others in the nursing profession.  It has been said that few professionals are admired as much as nurses. Nursing originated from the early practice of caring for the sick and injured, a role often performed by women within their families or communities. As societies developed, religious orders stepped in to play a significant role in providing care for the sick and injured, with nuns and monks often taking on nursing roles. The modern nursing profession gained prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries with the rise of formal nursing education and the contributions of figures like Florence Nightingale, who standardized practices and emphasized the importance of a clean environment.  Professionally trained nurses hold a unique place in the American health care system. As members of the largest health care profession, the nation’s nurses work in diverse settings and fields and are frontline providers of health care services. While most nurses work in acute-care settings such as hospitals, nurses’ expertise and skills extend well beyond hospital walls.  Millions of Americans turn to nurses for delivery of primary health care services, health care education. and health advice and counseling.  Nursing continues to be an indispensable service, and nurses are the critical link in maintaining our entire health care system.

“I am excited to have you all here today; my middle son will be starting his fourth year at George Fox University, and he is studying to be a nurse.  He is looking forward to finishing school and coming home to work in our community.  I am glad to see that someone mentioned that nursing is a “calling.”  When you raise kids, you help them to identify what their future should look like, and with my son it was trying to help him identify his strengths and we all strongly felt that nursing was his calling.  The people that work in the nursing profession are top shelf. You deal with people that are not at their best and yet you all express professionalism and empathy for these folks.  I admire you and the work you do,” remarked Commissioner Chris Boice. 

Commissioner Tom Kress presented Nurse Appreciation Week proclamation certificates to nurses and administrators from CHI Mercy Medical Center, Aviva Health Care, Umpqua Health Alliance, UCAN’s Nurse Home Visiting Program, Umpqua Community College – Nursing Program and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office – Corrections Division. Joining us today were: CHI Mercy: Russell Wooley (CEO), Holly Cook (Chief of Nursing), Natasha Gugel RN, Lindsey Holcomb RN; Aviva: Kylee Freeman RN, Jess Freeman RN, Katie Pantekoek, Natalie Aumock, Essie Lewis, Lauren Moreland, Kristina Hazzard LPN, Destany Alamprese RN; UCAN: Colleen May-Weir (Director), Elise Hansen RN, Ashley Pittam Hays RN, Dusty Smith RN; UCC: Chelsea Gillespie-Towne, Leesa Sterner, Mary Barron, Emma Pearsall, Rose Diou; DSCO – Corrections Division: Sheriff John Hanlin, Undersheriff Brad O’Dell, Lt. Clayton Ruble, Jodi Fassler RN and Tennille Redmond RN. 

“I am blessed with many things in my life.  But one of the things that is on my top ten list is that not only do I have a daughter that is a nurse, but I have a daughter-in-law that is a nurse too.  That is pretty special, and I am thankful for all that you do,” commented Commissioner Kress. 

The Commissioners invited a few of the participants to speak about the recognition and their work in nursing:

CHI Mercy Medical Center: Holly Cook, Chief of Nursing 

“I just wanted to callout that in your proclamation you stated that nursing is not just a vocation, but more of a calling to serve.  I just wanted to say thank you for the recognition on behalf of the nursing profession.  Because I would add to that, I see it as a privilege as well.  We get to see people and serve people in our communities that are in some of the scariest times and most challenging times, and we get the opportunity to walk that journey with them to wellness.”

Aviva Health – Jess Freeman, RN

“Thank you for recognizing all the hard work we put into our jobs.  Coming back to work in the community where I was born and raised has absolutely meant the world to me. Aviva Health has given us so much freedom to explore our passions.  I came from a hospital where I worked in orthopedics and now I focus on hepatitis treatment and management and other communicable diseases.  Who in the world would have thought that’s where nursing would have brought me, but here I am.  Getting to make such a clear difference in my hometown is absolutely incredible.  We get to interact with patients in the best ways possible and support them throughout their journey.  We do love our jobs, and we love our passion for our patients.”

UCAN Home Nurse Program – Elise Hansen, RN – Program Manager

“For those of you that are not familiar with Public Health Home Nurse Visiting Program, it is a program that Douglas County turned over to UCAN and still generously supports and funds.  This is a public health program where we go into homes to see moms, babies and kids with special health care needs.  We serve one of the most vulnerable populations in Douglas County.  The majority of our families are low income and need a lot of resources.  We get to see them in at their most vulnerable.  It’s a different kind of nursing and it is not often the type of nursing that gets recognized. So, thank you for that.”

Umpqua Community – School of Nursing – Chelsea Gillespie-Towne, MSN, RN

“We have the unique perspective of running the local nursing program.  We are all nurses that work in the program, but we also get to grow the next generation of nurses.  It is really cool to look around this room and see how many graduates that I recognize from our program.  Thank you for recognizing nursing.“

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office – Corrections Division – Jodi Fassler, RN/Health Servies Admin

“Thank you for recognizing nurses.  All of us nurses that work in the jail system really appreciate being recognized because we do serve a lot of patients that do not receive regular or any medical care until they get put in jail.  We often deal with challenging individuals, and we do our best to help them.”

            Douglas County has approximately 1,487 dedicated Nursing professionals as a part of our local workforce, as well as a robust and highly regarded Nursing Education Program at Umpqua Community College.  This proclamation is a reminder to our citizens to take the time to thank our nurses, and offer them our sincere gratitude, unyielding support and utmost respect to those whose contribution and sacrifice to our local workforce is paramount in sustaining a healthy community for all to live, work, and play.

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

Proclamation and Photo Collage Attached.  Photo Credit: K.Tate/Douglas County.  Individual photos available

Organization Infused THC into Cereal and Candy Products Posing Risk to Children

PORTLAND, Ore.—Jered Hayward, 45, of Salem, Oregon, was sentenced today to 156 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and conspiracy to launder the proceeds. He also agreed to forfeit assets worth more than $2 million dollars.

According to court documents, Hayward operated a large-scale THC and psilocybin production and distribution facility headquartered in Salem. As part of his operation, Hayward and his employees obtained cereal and candy products and infused or sprayed potent THC oils on them.  They then inserted the edibles into packages which mimicked the legitimate consumer food products, and sold them throughout the United States and internationally. While there was no evidence Hayward deliberately targeted minors, the manner in which his organization packaged the edibles posed a risk to children, who are often unable to comprehend the fine print warnings that the packages contained THC products.

Hayward’s organization utilized encrypted communications such as Telegram to market, sell and process orders, and straw businesses to mask money laundering transactions. Hayward had no permits or licenses to produce or sell these products; the entire operation was illegal.

Hayward has an extensive criminal record, including three prior state and federal convictions for marijuana and fentanyl trafficking. Because of these convictions, he is a career criminal under federal law.

Hayward agreed to forfeit substantial assets which he admitted were related to his drug and money laundering enterprise. As part of his guilty plea Hayward agreed to forfeit:

• The Salem production facility;
• More than $1 million in cash;
• $640,000 worth of cryptocurrency and bank account funds;
• More than $400,000 worth of gold and silver;
• Jewelry and a Rolex watch; and
• Twelve vehicles, two UTV’s, and boats.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Portland Police Bureau, United States Postal Inspection, Oregon State Police, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Salem Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Kemp Strickland and Christopher Cardani, Assistant United States Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A British man was sentenced to federal prison today for stealing nearly $1.9 million from a Portland resident in a romance fraud scheme.

Oscar Peters, 65, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison and 3 years’ supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $1,892,439 in restitution to his victim.

According to court documents, Peters met his victim through Millionaire Match Maker, an online dating website, and convinced his victim that he was a billionaire living in Denmark seeking long-term commitment. Defendant engaged in daily romantic emails and phone calls with his victim and ingratiated himself with promises of marriage. Defendant then concocted elaborate lies about why he needed financial assistance – ranging from his soon-to-be ex-wife had frozen his assets or needed money to complete business obligations for their future together.  With defendant’s calculated promises to repay the money and move to Portland, over about two years he convinced his victim to send him nearly $1.9 million.

On June 4, 2019, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a seven-count indictment charging Peters with wire fraud. On April 9, 2020, Peters was arrested in the United Kingdom where he remained in custody until he was extradited to the United States on October 23, 2023. On March 26, 2023, Peters pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Meredith Bateman, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

# # #

PORTLAND, Ore.—Luis Antonio Beltran Arredondo, 35, a Mexican national unlawfully residing in North Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and fentanyl; and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

According to court documents, a long-term investigation revealed that Arredondo was the leader of an Oregon-based drug trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of heroin and fentanyl in the Portland metro area. Between October 2021 and January 2022, investigators seized more than 52 pounds of heroin, more than 7 pounds of fentanyl pills, and nearly six pounds of methamphetamine from individuals, vehicles, and locations connected to Arredondo’s organization.

Arredondo also conspired to launder $4.63 million dollars by running drug trafficking proceeds through a Tualatin, Oregon-based beauty salon, and then using the money to buy nine properties, which were then converted into income-generating rentals. These properties have been forfeited to the United States and are in the process of being sold.

Arredondo faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $10 million fine and 5 years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on August 18, 2025, before U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with assistance from the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI), Tigard Police Department, and the Oregon State Police. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.

# # #

The auto-generated credential functionality for the annual training required for journalists to gain unescorted access to natural disaster scenes is now live. The free, one-hour online training course is provided by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

If you haven’t renewed your training credentials by completing the training in this calendar year, complete the training at https://odftraining.thinkific.com/courses/media-access-2025. Please note, the link will take you to a landing page says “2024 Edition,” but it is the correct training for this year.

After you pass the quiz at the end of the course, the system will automatically generate a completion certificate that serves as your proof of training.

Journalists are encouraged to print two copies of their credentials—one to display in their vehicle and another to keep in their wallet—and to save an electronic copy to their phone or computer, just in case.

House Bill 4087 (2022) granted journalists access to certain natural disaster scenes even if a public safety organization escort is unavailable. The bill’s access provisions apply specifically to natural disaster scenes on non-federal public lands that are also closed to the public due to the disaster. The HB 4087 guidelines created by a joint committee of public safety and media representatives provide additional important information including personal protective equipment requirements and circumstances when access may be denied.

For more information about HB 4087 and media access to natural disasters in Oregon, check out these resources from the Safe Media Access to Disaster Sites Committee and the Oregon Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. 

Agenda items include rulemaking for undersea cables, land acquisition in Deschutes County, and appointment of the DSL Director

SALEM, Ore. – The State Land Board will meet on Tuesday, June 10 at 11:00 a.m. at the Shutter Creek Facility in North Bend.

Agenda items the Land Board will consider include:

• Appoint the Oregon Department of State Lands Director.
  In December 2024, Director Vicki L. Walker formally notified the Land Board of her intent to retire June 30, 2025. By statute, the Land Board is responsible for appointing the Department director.
   
• Begin rulemaking for undersea cables in Oregon’s territorial sea.
  Administrative rules in OAR 141-083 govern easements for undersea cables on state-owned submerged and submersible land. Rulemaking is needed to conform with updates to Oregon’s Territorial Sea Plan, as well as improve the application process. Rulemaking may also be needed for establishing fees in rule, dependent on the outcome of legislative action in Senate Bill 793 A.
   
• Acquire an 80-acre parcel of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in La Pine.
  The Department is seeking to acquire an 80-acre property from the BLM, at no cost, for in-lieu lands still owed to the State of Oregon. The property is undeveloped forested land zoned for high-density residential in Deschutes County.
   
• Authorize a permanent easement on an existing freeway overpass in Portland’s Rose Quarter.
  The Oregon Department of Transportation is seeking a permanent easement to maintain the existing freeway overpass crossing the Willamette River in Multnomah County.
   
• Authorize the sale of and release of 274 acres of subsurface rights currently owned by the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) in Morrow County.
  DAS is seeking to sell a parcel of subsurface mineral and geothermal rights to the current surface owner Rowan Percheron, LLC.

The Land Board will also hear an update on bills the Department is tracking in the 2025 legislative session, as well as a guest presentation from the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries on geologic carbon sequestration.

Meeting Details and Agenda

Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

Shutter Creek Facility

Administration Building – Conference Room

95200 Shutters Landing Ln, North Bend, OR 97459

The full meeting agenda and materials are available on the DSL website. The meeting will be livestreamed to the DSL YouTube channel.

The public may submit written testimony or sign up to provide spoken testimony (in person, by video, or phone) during the meeting. Advanced sign-up is required, and the deadline is 10 a.m. on Monday, June 9.

If you need assistance to participate in this meeting due to a disability, please contact Arin Smith at 503-986-5224 or in.n.smith@dsl.oregon.gov">arin.n.smith@dsl.oregon.gov at least two working days prior to the meeting.

Visitors are not permitted to bring backpacks, bags, or large purses into the building prior to, during, or following Land Board meetings. Purses, medical bags, and diaper bags are permitted, but may be subject to inspection by the Oregon State Police.

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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www.oregon.gov/dsl

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Benton County Budget Committee closed a week of budget hearings on May 30 by approving the proposed 2025-27 budget with just four amendments. Financial Services staff are preparing the approved budget document for a final public hearing on June 17 before the Board of Commissioners. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the BOC will consider any further changes and adopt the 2025-27 budget.

The Budget Committee met on May 27, 29 and 30 to consider proposed biennium budgets for the County, the Library Services County Service District, and the 911 Emergency Services County Service District. The Library Services and 911 Services budgets were approved on May 27 with no amendments.

County administration and department heads presented detailed budgets to the Committee for the County’s 15 offices and departments, answering Committee members’ questions as they were raised. Following the final presentation, the Committee deliberated and created four amendments to the proposed County budget:

1. They established a $1 cost center within the General Fund – under Public Safety Operating Programs – to start saving for a new correctional facility. This action creates a new line item for a facility that is desperately needed to replace the inadequate County Jail.
2. They funded the budget line to continue the Sheriff’s Office work crew. Work crew is a public safety operating program that offers an alternative to incarceration through community service.
3. They increased the budget by $847,000 to support dedicated funds for the Behavioral Health Deflection program that was launched at the beginning of 2024. This program provides another alternative to incarceration specifically for people cited for drug possession.
4. They opted to maintain the current 2023-25 rate (3%) for deferred compensation for management and unrepresented employees.

In total, the approved budget was increased from $539,427,492 to $540,274,492 due to the $847,000 increase for the Behavioral Health Deflection Program. All other amendments were accomplished without increasing the total cost of the budget. Allocations were created by decreasing contingencies in multiple other funds to levels that still prudently mitigate budget risk.

Proposed budget documents, department presentations and recordings of all Budget Committee meetings are available for public viewing online at https://finance.bentoncountyor.gov/events/benton-county-budget-hearing-2025/.

The Board of Commissioners will conduct a final public hearing on June 17 to consider and adopt the budget. They can make changes to the approved budget before adopting, but if they exceed a certain percentage of change per fund, another public notice and hearing will be required. The adopted budget will take effect on July 1.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s All-Terrain Vehicle Grant Subcommittee will meet noon on June 16 in Salem to discuss changes to ATV grant scoring criteria.

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

Meeting details, including zoom link and agenda, are available online: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/Pages/GRA-atv.aspx#2

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

The ATV Grant Program provides funding statewide for All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) recreation. Grant funds come from ATV user permit sales and a percentage of gasoline tax money.

More information about the state ATV program is available at www.OregonATV.gov

Special accommodations may be arranged up to 72 hours in advance to improve accessibility by emailing ian.caldwell@oprd.oregon.gov.

LANE COUNTY, Ore. (June 4, 2025) — On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at about 6:26 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 58 in Lane County.

The preliminary investigation indicated that a white GMC Yukon, operated by David William Dickey (45) of Portland, was traveling eastbound on Highway 58 near milepost 36.5 when it left its lane for an unknown reason. The vehicle entered the westbound lane and collided head-on with a gray Volvo semi-truck hauling a 52-foot box trailer, operated by Alymbek Baikeev (40) of Forest Hills, New York.

The operator of the GMC Yukon (Dickey) was pronounced dead at the scene.

The operator of the semi-truck (Baikeev) was not injured.

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

OSP was assisted by the Oakridge Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

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

INDEPENDENCE, Oregon — The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will convene June 17 and 18 in Independence, Oregon to discuss rulemaking, small land purchases and legislative updates.

On June 17, commissioners will take a water trail boat tour and then conduct a work session on the Salmonberry Trail and Central Business Services from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Independence Event Center, 555 South Main Street.

On June 18, commissioners will convene an executive session at 8:30 a.m. at Independence Event Center, 555 South Main Street to discuss real estate and legal issues. Executive sessions are closed to the public. A business meeting will begin at 9:45 a.m. and will be open to the public.

Anyone may attend or listen to the business meeting; instructions on how to listen will be posted on the commission web page prior to the meeting. The business meeting includes time for informal public comment related to any items not on the agenda. Registration is required to speak at the meeting if attending online, and is available online at https://bit.ly/registerjuncommission. The deadline to register to speak at the meeting virtually is 5 p.m., June 16. No advance registration is required to speak in person at the meeting. Time per speaker is limited to three minutes. Please submit written public comments by 5 p.m. June 16 to Cpubliccomment@oprd.oregon.gov">OPRCpubliccomment@oprd.oregon.gov.

The full agenda and supporting documents will be posted on the commission web page. Notable requests:

• Request to adopt a proposed rule change (OAR 736-024-0015) to prohibit driving on the ocean shore in Manzanita as requested by the Manzanita City Council due to safety concerns.
• Request to adopt a proposed rule update (OAR 736-015-0030) to expand the 25% out-of-state surcharge to parking permit fees for visitors who do not live in Oregon, which would increase daily parking permit fees by $2 for out-of-state visitors.
• Request to open rulemaking for implementation prior to House Bill 3190, which reauthorizes the Special Assessment of Historic Properties program as a 10-year benefit for commercial, income-producing historic properties.
• Request to open rulemaking contingent on the passage of Senate Bill 838B, which would provide OPRD a limited exemption from the state’s Public Contracting Code— to better serve park visitors and support local businesses based on the agency’s 24/7 operations schedule. The exemption does not apply to surplus property, information technology, photogrammetric mapping or telecommunications.
• Request to purchase a 37-acre parcel of property next to Silver Falls State Park for $960,000. The land could provide needed staff housing, emergency response access and is located near the future Visitor Center near North Falls, which would provide easy access for staff.

Anyone needing special accommodations to attend the meeting should contact Denise Warburton, commission assistant, at least three days in advance: burton@oprd.oregon.gov">denise.warburton@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-779-9729.

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

Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries (OCHC) has awarded $62,500 in grants to 11 historic cemetery projects throughout the state through the Historic Cemeteries Grant program. The funds will help support preservation efforts, tree care and survey. Individual award amounts ranged from $3,500 - $8,405.
 

Funded projects:

• Fence repair at the Adams Cemetery in Clackamas County and the Clatsop Plains Cemetery in Clatsop County.
• Marker repair at Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery, Eastwood IOOF Cemetery in Medford, Clatsop Plains Pioneer Cemetery, Greenwood Hills Cemetery in Portland, Kings Valley Cemetery in Benton County, Riverside Cemetery in Albany, and twin Oaks Cemetery in Marion County.
• Tree work at Dallas Cemetery in Polk County.
• Shed construction at Burch Family Pioneer Cemetery in Polk County.
• Complete survey, geophysical survey and install an information kiosk at the Lower Cove Cemetery in Union County.

Historic cemeteries are documented by OCHC and must include the burial of at least one person who died 75 years before the current date.
 

The historic cemetery grant program is offered annually by the OCHC, part of the Oregon Heritage Program at Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). The grant program is supported by lottery and other funds.
 

OCHC maintains a list of all pioneer and historic cemeteries in the state. The seven-member appointed commission helps people and organizations document, preserve and promote designated historic cemeteries statewide.
 

For more information about the grant program or the OCHC, visit www.oregonheritage.org or contact Kuri Gill at i.gill@oprd.oregon.gov">Kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-986-0685.