UPDATE 4/24/24 - Suspect lodged on manslaughter, assault charges

The female victim in this case passed away from her injuries.  Her identity is being withheld at this time.  Our deepest condolences go out to the victim’s family and friends.

Detectives identified the suspect as Izyk Paul Bartlett, 20, of Eugene.  He was lodged in the Lane County Jail this evening on charges of Manslaughter in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.  The investigation is ongoing.  

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Eugene Police Department, Coburg Police Department, Junction City Police Department, and Oregon State Police for their assistance on this case.  

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On April 24^th at about 3 p.m., deputies responded to reports of a dispute with shots fired in the 1000 block of Cinnamon Avenue, Eugene. Eugene Police officers in the area responded with Lane County Sheriff’s Deputies.  A female was located at that scene with a gunshot wound. Investigators were quickly able to determine the identity of the suspect and located his vehicle in the 1000 block of Abbie Lane. Eugene Police SWAT responded and assisted in apprehending the suspect.  All involved have been accounted for and there is no known continuing threat to the public related to this event.  More information will be released as the investigation continues.  

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is currently investigating a possible hit and run involving a deceased unidentified female estimated to be between 20-40 years old. 

The involved vehicle is currently unknown but could be a black Toyota, unknown model, with potential damage to the front passenger side.

The incident occurred on Highway 20 near Hyak Park, between Albany and Corvallis.

At about 3:00 p.m. today, law enforcement was notified of the deceased female by a local farmer.

Investigators believe the incident took place sometime within the last couple of days.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact BCSO at 541-766-6858 or call their tip line at 541-753-8477(TIPS) to remain anonymous.

Further details will be provided as they become available.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

DATE: April 24, 2024

Early morning collision results in motorcyclist fatality

Salem, Ore. — The 4300 block of Commercial ST SE was closed this morning for the investigation of a traffic collision resulting in the death of a motorcyclist.

Just after 7:00 a.m. today, multiple callers reported a collision between a car and motorcycle. Passersby stopped and acted quickly to render aid to the injured motorcyclist along with help from a Salem police officer. Ultimately, the rider was pronounced deceased by paramedics.

The preliminary investigation by the Salem Police Traffic Team indicated that a sedan traveling southbound on Commercial ST initiated a turn east into the parking lot of a business when the motorcycle rider collided into the car.

The motorcyclist is identified as Zachary Hendrickson, age 32, of Salem. The driver of the car, Shannon Evans, age 54 and also of Salem, remained on the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

Commercial ST between Hilfiker LN and 12^th ST Cutoff was closed for approximately three-and-a-half hours for the scene investigation.

There is no further information available at this time, including that of citations or arrest, as the incident remains an active investigation.

This morning’s traffic fatality is the tenth to occur in Salem since the start of the year.

# # #

UPDATE - Photo added of Sgt. OJ Johnson with Roman Santos. 

The following statement was provided at this evening's news conference in Eugene. 

Captain Kyle Kennedy, Oregon State Police

I want to start by sending our heartfelt support to the community in West Richland, Washington, a community dealing with senseless tragedy. My prayer is their community will come together to provide support and strength during this grievous time.

The conclusion of this search has been the culmination of the hard work and dedication of our law enforcement partners in Washington and Oregon, as well as federal contributors. Since the start, our goal has been simple—to bring Roman Santos home safely. We did it. Roman is in the care of Oregon officials.

Last evening, the Oregon State Police issued an AMBER Alert at approximately 11:35 p.m. at the request of the Washington State Patrol. This AMBER alert was in response to the murder of two women in West Richland, Washington, and the kidnapping of a 1-year-old infant - Roman Santos.  The suspect in these murders and kidnapping was identified as Elias Huizar. The suspect was reportedly driving a 2009 Toyota Corolla with Washington plates.

Today, at approximately 2:40 p.m., Oregon State Police troopers were observing Interstate 5 for the suspect when he located the vehicle southbound near milepost 221. OSP initiated a traffic stop and the suspect vehicle fled southbound. Two troopers engaged in a pursuit with the suspect vehicle at high speeds heading southbound.

Near milepost 209, there was a minor collision and the suspect vehicle lost control. An exchange of gunfire occurred prior to the vehicle fleeing again southbound. No known injuries occurred as a result of the gunfire.

Near milepost 197, the suspect crashed into a stopped CMV and stopped in the median. As troopers contacted the suspect vehicle, he was deceased of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The infant was located uninjured and removed from the vehicle.

Involved in the exchange of gunfire, was Superintendent Casey Codding and Sergeant Orly Johnson of the Oregon State Police.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office has been asked to lead the investigation.

We are very proud of the efforts of the troopers involved in this pursuit today. Their dedication and courage are a hallmark of the character of an Oregon State Trooper. Their efforts today were paramount in bringing Roman home safely.

I want to thank our partners:

WASHINGTON: Kennewick PD, Paso PD, Richland PD, Prosser PD, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, Benton Fire Districts 1 and 4, FBI, US Marshal’s, Fish and Wildlife

OREGON: PPB, OSP, Hillsboro, and Portland FBI.                     

PURSUIT: OSP, Linn County Sheriff's Office    

ON SCENE: Lane County Sheriff's Office, Eugene Police Department, Coburg Police Department

JCSO Case 24-2209

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies arrested two suspects yesterday after an early-morning burglary in rural Central Point. Yesterday morning, a JCSO Community Service Deputy took a report from ECSO Dispatch just after 8 a.m. of a burglary in the 5700 block of Upton Road. Through the investigation, JCSO deputies identified several suspects and tracked them to an address in the 100 block of Laurelhurst Street, also in rural Central Point. 

JCSO deputies obtained a search warrant for the property and identified a female suspect on scene. During the initial search of the property, deputies located an additional suspect hiding under a shed. The man did not respond to commands to come out and barricaded in the crawl space. After a lengthy standoff, deputies persuaded the man to give up through the use of pepper spray and a K9. 

JCSO Criminal Investigations Division (CID), and Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives responded to assist in the arrest and search of the property. During the search, investigators discovered 10 firearms including a stolen pistol, and an AR-style rifle with no serial number. Deputies also found body armor, an illegally-manufactured silencer, methamphetamine, heroin, Butane Honey Oil (BHO), 35 lbs. of processed cannabis, and 58.3 grams of fentanyl. Deputies also uncovered nearly $19,000 in cash. 

The first suspect was Kelli Margaret Hernandez, 44, of Medford. She was arrested for conspiracy to commit second-degree burglary, and hindering prosecution. She was booked and lodged at the Jackson County Jail.

The second suspect was Mickey Ray Galatz, 28, of Central Point. He was arrested on 15 charges related to the incident, in addition to five outstanding warrants. The new charges include second-degree burglary, first and second-degree theft, second-degree criminal mischief, second-degree trespass, interfering with a peace officer, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of body armor, possession of a prohibited firearm, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, unlawful distribution of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of heroin, and unlawful distribution of heroin. For the fentanyl Galatz was charged with unlawful possession of a schedule II-controlled substance – substantial quantity, and unlawful distribution of a schedule II-controlled substance. The outstanding warrants include probation violations for felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of felony unlawful possession of heroin, attempting to elude police by vehicle, and a Klamath County warrant for first-degree burglary and first-degree aggravated theft. Galatz is lodged in the Jackson County Jail. 

This case is under further investigation with deputies following additional leads. There is no more information for release at this time. 

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MALHEUR COUNTY, Ore. 24 April 2024 – On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 4:25 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy. 20 near milepost 235 in Malheur County. 

The preliminary investigation indicated a maroon Chevrolet Trailblazer, operated by Hunter Brucker (22) of Redmond, was traveling eastbound when it entered the westbound lane to pass an eastbound commercial motor vehicle. A westbound Ford Maverick, operated by a 17-year-old male, swerved onto the westbound shoulder to avoid a collision with the Chevrolet. The Chevrolet also swerved onto the westbound shoulder and collided with the Ford Maverick. 

The driver of a Ford Maverick (a 17-year-old male) was pronounced deceased at the scene. A juvenile passenger (a 13-year-old female) was transported by helicopter to an area hospital with reportedly serious injuries. 

The driver of the Chevrolet (Brucker) sustained minor injuries and was not transported for medical care. 

The investigation into the crash is ongoing. 

OSP was assisted by the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, Treasure Valley Paramedics, Vale Fire and Ambulance, Life Flight, and the Oregon Department of Transportation. 

# # #

About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.

LINCOLN COUNTY, Ore. 24 April 2024 – On Monday, April 22, 2024, at 5:39 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy. 101 near milepost 143 within the Newport city limits. 

The preliminary investigation indicated a red Chevrolet Monte Carlo was driving southbound on Hwy. 101 when it crossed the middle lane into the northbound lane for unknown reasons and collided with a white Honda Odyssey. 

The driver of the Chevrolet, Heidi Fay Rock (74) of Waldport, was transported to a local hospital where she later died from injuries sustained during the crash. 

The driver of the Honda, Celeste Diana Paulson (38) of Newport, and two juvenile passengers (a 6-year-old and a 4-month-old) were transported to a local hospital with reportedly minor injuries. 

The highway was impacted for approximately four hours. 

OSP was assisted by the Newport Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation. 

# # #

About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Central Oregon drug trafficker who conspired with others to traffic fentanyl and methamphetamine to Madras and Redmond, Oregon, and surrounding areas, was sentenced to federal prison today.

Israel Sarabia, 30, of Culver, Oregon, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, as part of a joint drug trafficking investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team (CODE), investigators learned that a Central Oregon drug trafficking organization was using a courier to transport bulk quantities of drugs from either Southern California or Mexico into Oregon. On December 10, 2022, investigators located and stopped the courier in Klamath Falls, Oregon. While searching the courier’s vehicle, investigators located three packages containing approximately 30,000 counterfeit Oxycodone pills that later tested positive for fentanyl.

Further investigation revealed that the courier was traveling to Sarabia’s residence and that he had been tasked by Sarabia with bringing him fentanyl from Southern California or Mexico. On March 15, 2023, investigators located and arrested Sarabia near his residence in Culver. On the same day, investigators located and seized 519 grams of methamphetamine, more than 1,000 fentanyl pills, 41 grams of cocaine, and nine firearms from the residence of a co-conspirator who was working for Sarabia and storing drugs on his behalf.

On March 15, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count indictment charging Sarabia and an accomplice with conspiring with one another to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, and distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine. A third individual was also charged with conspiracy. 

On August 21, 2023, Sarabia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by DEA and CODE. It was prosecuted by Lewis S. Burkhart, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

The CODE team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. CODE includes members of the Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Madras, Sunriver, and Black Butte Police Departments; the Warm Springs Tribal Police Department; the Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices; the Oregon State Police; the Oregon National Guard; DEA; and the FBI.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

DATE: April 24, 2024

Local man arrested, guns and drugs seized

Salem, Ore. — A 35-year-old Salem man was arrested yesterday afternoon on gun and drug possession charges.

Daniel Ralph Northcutt was arrested at a hotel in the 3300 block of Astoria WY NE at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Officers observed Northcutt in the area when he then fled into the hotel. 

Initially, Northcutt refused to exit the room but subsequently surrendered without incident. A search warrant was obtained for Northcutt’s rented room and his vehicle in the parking lot of the business. Seized in the search were two firearms, a handgun and a sawed-off shotgun, as well as 1.5 ounces and 50 pills of a drug suspected to be fentanyl and $1,000 in cash.

Northcutt, who also has outstanding warrants in other cases, is lodged at the Marion County Jail on the following charges:

• Felon in possession of a firearm, two counts
• Unlawful possession of a short-barreled firearm
• Unlawful possession of a Schedule II controlled substance
• Unlawful delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance

Given Northcutt’s in-custody status, all further media inquiries concerning this investigation should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

# # #

EUGENE, Ore.—An Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for his role in a conspiracy to torture, mutilate, and murder monkeys, and then produce and distribute videos of those acts in exchange for money raised by an online animal abuse group.

David Christopher Noble, 48, of Prineville, Oregon, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.

“The victims in this case cannot speak for themselves, but the impact of the grotesque violence brought upon them is unmistakable. At the direction of David Noble and his co-conspirators, the producers of these animal abuse videos not only killed monkeys but did so in a way that extended their pain and suffering as long as possible,” said Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eugene and Medford Branch Offices. “Today’s sentence should make it clear to others engaged in this heinous conduct that they will be held responsible for their crimes.”

“David Noble's depraved actions not only inflicted unspeakable agony upon innocent creatures but also tainted the very essence of humanity’s moral fiber,” stated Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “Under Noble's direction, the production and distribution of grotesque animal abuse videos represented a dark descent into the abyss of cruelty and exploitation. Today’s sentencing underscores our unwavering commitment to holding individuals like Noble accountable for their reprehensible crimes against compassion and decency.”

According to court documents, from January 2022 through February 2023, Noble conspired with others in the District of Oregon and elsewhere to send multiple online payments to co-conspirators overseas to fund the production of videos depicting the torture, mutilation and murder of monkeys. In furtherance of the conspiracy, Noble administered an online group wherein members would raise funds to produce, discuss ideas for, and share animal abuse videos.

In Noble’s messages to the group, he expressed his enjoyment of videos depicting the torture and murder of long-tailed macaques, which members of the group, including Noble, referred to as “rats.” In one message to the group sent in June 2022, Noble expressed that the only thing he did not like in abuse videos was when the torturers “kill the rats too quickly,” and he further expressed a desire that they “keep it alive make it suffer make sure it knows to fear you and that you end its existence at any time.” In another message, Noble claimed “the noises they make from pain and abuse are some of my favorite sounds.”

In 2006, Noble, a former United States Air Force officer, was dismissed from the Air Force and ordered to serve six months in military custody following a court martial for fraud and an unprofessional relationship. In early February 2023, following the investigation in this case, investigators executed a search warrant on Noble’s residence and found approximately 50 videos depicting animal abuse, along with several firearms and ammunition.

On May 18, 2023, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned an indictment charging Noble with conspiring to engage in animal crushing and creating and distributing animal crush videos, creating animal crush videos, and illegally possessing a firearm as a dishonorably discharged person.

After his home was searched, Noble relocated from Prineville to Henderson, Nevada, and, on June 13, 2023, was arrested in Henderson. The next day, he made his first appearance in federal court in Las Vegas and was ordered detained pending his transfer to Oregon. On July 21, 2023, after arriving in Oregon, Noble was again ordered detained based on the nature of his offenses, including the extreme violence associated, and his possession of firearms.

On January 10, 2024, Noble pleaded guilty to conspiring to engage in animal crushing and creating and distributing animal crush videos.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and prosecuted by William M. McLaren and Adam E. Delph, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

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An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, James T. Birchard, passed away April 22, 2024. Birchard was incarcerated at Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) in Salem and passed away at a local hospital. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified, and the State Medical Examiner will determine cause of death. 

Birchard entered DOC custody on September 5, 1989, from Umatilla and Morrow Counties with no parole date. Birchard was 70 years old. 

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

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

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A message from Sheriff Cliff Harrold:

It’s National Volunteers Week and I’m excited to highlight the outstanding work being done by our very own Lane County Sheriff’s Office volunteers! Although our volunteers steadfastly work all year long, this specific week gives us an opportunity to step back and recognize these hardworking individuals who dedicate their time, efforts, talents and passion to serve the people of Lane County.

Our public service extends beyond the reach of our paid employees in the Corrections, Police Services, and Operations Support Divisions. Our volunteers give their time through a variety of ways, all with the same goal of serving the residents of Lane County. We currently have well over 300 volunteers donating thousands of hours to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and community.

To put the hard work into numbers, our volunteers donate more than 28,000 hours annually, encompassing search and rescue missions, trainings, cold case investigation, public outreach, crime prevention, main office greetings and information, jail library, support groups, and religious services provided to adults in custody. I have listed below several of the programs to give a better idea of the vital functions being handled day in and day out by our volunteers who greatly improve the quality of service we are able to deliver to the Lane County community.

Cold Case Team
Mounted Posse
Reserve Deputy Sheriffs
Cadet Program
Search and Rescue
Crime Prevention Team
Corrections Library/Groups/Religious Services
Main Office Information
Chaplains

We are honored and so fortunate to have every single volunteer as a member of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office family. Thank you for your time, your dedication, and your commitment to serve!

- Cliff

For more info on the many ways to serve our county with us, visit www.lanecounty.org/government/county_departments/sheriff_s_office/volunteers Lane County

Douglas County Parks Department

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 24, 2024

PROJECT START - TEMPORARY CLOSURE NOTICE

Lower Day Use Area – Whistler’s Bend County Park

(Douglas County, Ore.)  The Douglas County Parks Department is excited to announce that they have started Phase One of a much anticipated park rehabilitation project at Whistler's Bend County Park & Campground.  Effective immediately, and as a part of the rehabilitation project, the Parks Department has temporarily closed the lower day use area at the park.  Additionally, they anticipate a few intermittent closures around the upper campground area as the project progresses, but traffic control will be in place to redirect traffic during these temporary closures.  Phase One of the rehabilitation project is expected to take four to six weeks to complete. As with any project, unforeseen delays due to weather, equipment and material availability could possibly extend the anticipated project timeline.

Phase One improvements to the day use area and portions of the upper campground at Whistler’s Bend County Park are a part of a two-phase rehabilitation project funded in part by a grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) through their Local Government Grant Program.  The grant funds from OPRD were matched by Douglas County and utilized to begin the project. Phase One rehabilitation includes replacement of two single non-accessible vault  restrooms with two ADA accessible vault restrooms; installation of a pavilion for public use and special events next to the Whistler’s Bend Disc Golf Course parking lot; resurfacing of the lower parking lot and access roads to improve river access; installation of a walking path along the river, resurfacing the playground with rubber tiles, and paving of the upper campground access road and group sites.  Phase Two will focus on paving the upper campground, adding more full hookup sites to the upper campground, and replacing three single vault toilets in the lower campground with ADA accessible ones. Phase Two rehabilitation also aims to enhance the Whistlers Bend Disc Golf Course with the addition of a small pavilion and a new restroom in the middle of the course, as well as furnishing the course with additional benches and garbage receptacles throughout. Phase Two is being funded in part by a grant from the County Opportunity Grant Program through ORPD and is slated to commence after Labor Day 2024.

Please note that the upper day use area, parking lot, disc golf course and campground area will remain open during the project for public use.  However, safety is always a priority for the recreating public, and we ask citizens to use extreme caution when visiting this area during the closure and project time frame.  We ask that you please follow all posted signs, warnings, and work crew instructions.  We understand that our County Parks are popular destinations for day use activities such as fishing, swimming, picnicking, disc golf, camping and BBQs, park patrons are encouraged to also consider checking out our large inventory of Douglas County Parks during this temporary closure and improvement project. 

Whistler's Bend County Park & Campground is located 15 miles east of Roseburg near the community of Glide on the oxbow peninsula of the North Umpqua River off Oregon Hwy 138 at 2828 Whistlers Park Road. This park provides a plethora of recreational activities.  The Douglas County Parks Department appreciates the public’s patience as they continue to improve your recreational experience in our county parks. For more information, or to locate a park, campground or boat ramp near you, log onto the Douglas County Parks Department’s page on the Douglas County, Oregon Government Website at: https://douglascountyor.gov/802/Parks.

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Media Contact:     Tamara Howell, Douglas County 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

Photos Attached: ©K.Trenkle/Douglas County

April 24, 2024

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), in partnership with Neighborhood Partnerships (NP), announce $11.5 million in funding to support the Individual Development Account Initiative statewide. 

An Individual Development Account (IDA) is a matched savings account, where the money participants save is multiplied up to five times by the program. As Oregonians face inflation and rising housing costs, IDAs provide a crucial resource for those with lower incomes to address financial needs such as down payment savings, higher-education costs, microenterprise investments, emergency savings, and investment in other wealth-building assets, supported by financial education and literacy. 

IDAs are offered by a statewide network of community organizations, housing authorities, schools, and colleges.

“The Oregon Individual Development Account Initiative serves as a powerful example of collaboration between state governments and community-based organizations to build more inclusive, resilient, and equitable communities across the state,” said Andrea Bell, OHCS executive director. “The additional investment underscores the state’s commitment to facilitate solutions that advance social and economic mobility.”

To date, the IDA program has empowered more than 17,000 Oregonians in 35 of the state's 36 counties, distributing $68 million in matching dollars to savers. Through its network of providers, the Initiative makes IDAs accessible to Oregon residents who have been excluded from opportunities to build lasting financial stability, including residents from Black, Native American, Latinx, and Asian communities throughout the state.

“As the longtime administrator of the Oregon IDA Initiative, Neighborhood Partnerships and our network of community-based partners are thrilled to receive an additional $5 million from the Legislature, which will be used by Oregonians with lower incomes to increase the power of their own savings to reach self-determined financial goals, including first-time homeownership, higher education, and entrepreneurship,” said Luke Bonham, IDA program manager.

This funding is being distributed through fiduciary organizations to aid Oregonians in achieving their financial goals through matched savings. The addition of $5 million in General Funds allows a two-phased funding approach in 2024-25 to help support the IDA Initiative’s continued growth and success. The approach aims to increase reach in underrepresented counties, graduate BIPOC savers at rates that promote racial equity in asset building.

For more information about the IDA Initiative and how to get involved, please visit https://oregonidainitiative.org/.

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)  

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

24 de abril de 2024 

El Departamento de Vivienda y Servicios Comunitarios junto a Neighborhood Partnerships anuncian que $11.5 millones apoyarán a ahorradores con una Cuenta de Desarrollo Individual   

SALEM, Ore. — El Departamento de Vivienda y Servicios Comunitarios de Oregón (OHCS, por sus siglas en ingles), junto a Neighborhood Partnerships, anuncian que $11.5 millones serán destinados para apoyar la Iniciativa de Cuenta de Desarrollo Individual en el estado. 

Una Cuenta de Desarrollo Individual (IDA, por sus siglas en inglés) es una cuenta de ahorro igualada, en la que el dinero que ahorran los participantes es multiplicado hasta cinco veces por el programa. A medida que los habitantes de Oregón se enfrentan a la inflación y al aumento de los costos de la vivienda, las cuentas IDA constituyen un recurso crucial para que las personas con ingresos más bajos puedan hacer frente a necesidades financieras como el ahorro para el pago inicial para una vivienda, la educación superior, las inversiones en microempresas y el ahorro de emergencia, con el apoyo de la educación financiera. 

Los programas IDA son ofrecidos por una red estatal de organizaciones comunitarias, autoridades de vivienda, escuelas y universidades.

"La Iniciativa de Cuenta de Desarrollo Individual de Oregón sirve como un poderoso ejemplo de colaboración entre los gobiernos estatales y las organizaciones comunitaria para construir comunidades más inclusivas y equitativas en el estado", dijo Andrea Bell, directora ejecutiva de OHCS. "La inversión adicional muestra el compromiso del estado para facilitar soluciones que promuevan la movilidad social y económica". 

Hasta la fecha, el programa IDA ha apoyado a más de 17,000 residentes de Oregón en 35 de los 36 condados del estado, distribuyendo $68 millones en fondos igualados a los ahorradores. A través de su red de proveedores, la Iniciativa hace que las cuentas IDA sean accesibles a los residentes de Oregón que han sido excluidos de las oportunidades de construir una estabilidad financiera duradera, incluidos los residentes de las comunidades afroamericana, nativa americana, latina y asiática.

"Como administrador desde hace mucho tiempo de la Iniciativa IDA de Oregón, Neighborhood Partnerships y nuestra red de socios comunitarios están muy contentos de recibir $5 millones adicionales de la Legislatura, que serán utilizados por los residentes de Oregón con ingresos más bajos para aumentar el poder de sus propios ahorros para alcanzar sus objetivos financieros, incluyendo la compra de la primera vivienda, la educación superior y el convertirse en empresarias", dijo Luke Bonham, director del Programa IDA de Neighborhood Partnerships. 

Estos fondos se distribuyen a través de organizaciones fiduciarias para ayudar a los habitantes de Oregón a alcanzar sus objetivos financieros mediante ahorros igualadas. La adición de $5 millones en fondos generales permite un enfoque de financiación en dos fases en 2024-25 para ayudar a apoyar el crecimiento y el éxito continuo de la Iniciativa IDA. El enfoque tiene como objetivo aumentar el alcance del programa en los condados donde la participación es baja, y graduar a los ahorradores de comunidades de color a tasas que promuevan la equidad racial en la construcción de activos.

Para más información sobre la Iniciativa IDA y cómo participar, visite https://oregonidainitiative.org/. 

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. 

EUGENE, Ore. – In response to the pressing need for educators across the state of Oregon, Bushnell University’s School of Education has embraced an innovative approach to tackle the ongoing educator shortage. Over the past 18 months there has been a significant increase in the hiring of teaching and school counseling candidates before they complete their licensure programs. Bushnell candidates have been at the forefront of this trend, stepping into roles to meet the demands of school districts statewide. 

This proactive approach not only addresses the immediate need for qualified educators but also provides invaluable hands-on experience for Bushnell candidates, enhancing their professional development while still enrolled in their licensure programs. Moreover, Bushnell University has established a collaborative partnership with local school districts, focusing on “growing your own” efforts, supplemented by scholarships, to develop and support existing employees wishing to pursue a career as a professional educator.  

For these individuals, holding a dual role as educator and college student can be quite rewarding and demanding. To help ensure success in both arenas, Bushnell works jointly with school-based personnel to ensure candidates are afforded regular opportunities to engage in meaningful and reflective conversations with their mentor and Bushnell supervisor, can strategically prioritize competing responsibilities, gain valuable field experience beyond the position they hold, and can strengthen their professional background knowledge both in the field and through their coursework. This strategic partnership aims to collaboratively support educator candidates toward successful program completion and a positive professional experience for the purposes of filling vacancies within the district while nurturing and growing future educators from within the local school community.   

Associate Dean of the School of Education, Suzanne Price, M.Ed., expressed enthusiasm about the impact of this initiative, stating, “Our partnership with local school districts demonstrates our commitment to addressing the educator shortage in Oregon. By supporting our candidates in securing employment while still in their licensure program, we not only fulfill immediate staffing needs but also foster lasting connections within the school community.” 

This collaborative effort between Bushnell University’s School of Education and the local school districts not only addresses the immediate challenges posed by the statewide educator shortage but also lays the groundwork for sustained community engagement and support for future educators. Bushnell University remains dedicated to building strong relationships within the school community and preparing educators who are equipped to meet the evolving needs of students and districts alike. 

To learn more about Bushnell’s School of Education, visit our website.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

April 24, 2024

FINDINGS OF FACT MEETING

DOUGLAS COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

April 25, 2024

(Douglas County, Ore.) The Douglas County Planning Commission will hold a special meeting on Thursday, April 25, 2024, to approve and sign a Findings of Fact and Decision from the previous meeting.

The virtual meeting will be held at 5:30 pm, and will be conducted via Zoom, where members of the Planning Commission will join via computer or call-in on the telephone to convene on the Colin Wright Findings of Fact agenda item only (postponed from 4/18/2024).

Because the Planning Commission has made their decision and the record is closed, public input would not be appropriate, and there for it will be not taken at this meeting.  We are required to make these proceedings open to the public and in compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to listen to the proceedings.

Please contact the Planning Department for information on how you can join the proceedings via Zoom.  The agenda and additional information can be found on our website at:  www.douglascountyor.gov.

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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County 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

North Bend School District Public Meetings – April 2024 

Below are North Bend School District public meetings currently scheduled for April:

 

April 4, 2024

Regular Board Meeting

North Bend City Hall Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m.

835 California Ave., North Bend, OR

APRIL 18, 2024

Board Work Session 

Hall of Champions at 6:00 p.m.

2323 Pacific St., North Bend, OR 

April 25, 2024

Board Work Session

Hall of Champions at 10:00am

2323 Pacific St., North Bend, OR

The schedule is subject to change.

Please email rix@nbend.k12.or.us">mbrix@nbend.k12.or.usor visit the NBSD Website: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/1573 for agenda information.

On April 24^th 2024, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a deceased adult female at a residence in the 28000 block of Hwy. 36 south of Junction City. Upon arrival, investigators observed the deceased had suspicious injuries that may have contributed to her death. 

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is looking for 49-year-old John Jay Kelley of Eugene.  He is considered a person of interest at this time. Kelley is described as a white male adult with brown hair, green eyes, weighing approximately 220 pounds and standing approximately 5’08” tall.  Kelley is possibly driving a silver 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV bearing Oregon license plate #532PMQ.

Kelley is considered armed and dangerous.  Anyone aware of his whereabouts is asked to call 911 and avoid approaching or contacting him. 

The vehicle depicted is similar in make and model but not the actual vehicle driven by the person of interest in this case

April 24, 2024

Media contacts:

Erica Heartquist, Oregon Health Authority, ica.J.Heartquist@oha.oregon.gov">Erica.J.Heartquist@oha.oregon.gov, 503-871-8843

Jake Sunderland, Oregon Department of Human Services,  land@odhs.oregon.gov">Jake.Sunderland@odhs.oregon.gov, 503-877-0170

One year after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, Oregon among top states keeping people covered

More than one million people are keeping their Oregon Health Plan benefits due to Oregon’s efforts to expand coverage options

SALEM, Ore. — With more than 90 percent of the state’s 1.5 million renewals complete, more than 4 out of 5 Oregonians are keeping their Oregon Health Plan (OHP) or other Medicaid benefits.

During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), which ended one year ago in April 2023, the federal government allowed states to keep people on Medicaid benefits. This ended when the pandemic emergency ended, so over the last year Oregon has been making sure everyone on OHP is still eligible.

At this point in the PHE unwinding process:

• Just 1,078 members, about 0.07 percent, still need to respond to renewal requests 9,573 members, about 0.65 percent, have responded to their renewal but are awaiting state action on the response.
• The remaining renewals, about 8.72 percent of the total, will occur over the summer.

Oregon’s 81.8 percent renewal rate continues to be the third highest in a national comparison of state renewal rates by KFF, a nonpartisan health policy organization. Oregon’s high renewal rates are due to proactive efforts by the state to keep people covered, including extended response timelines, and adding the upcoming OHP Bridge program for adults with higher incomes.

Members who have not received a renewal yet should:

• Keep their address and contact information up to date.
• Check their mail or ONE Online account for their renewal letter.
• Do what the renewal letter asks as soon as possible. Anyone concerned they missed their letter should get help with their renewal via one of the ways to find help listed below.
• Members who did not respond to renewals can still re-open their case three months after it closes if they are still eligible, and they can reapply at any time.

Although most people are keeping coverage, approximately 240,000 people will lose or have reduced medical benefits and need to consider other coverage options.

• People who do not have coverage through an employer or Medicare may be able to enroll through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace and get financial help. Most people who enroll through HealthCare.gov qualify for this help.
• The Marketplace is sending information to people who are no longer eligible for OHP benefits, advising of other potential coverage options.
• People who have recently lost OHP benefits can enroll anytime until November 30, 2024, or within 60 days of their benefits ending.
• For more information and ways to get help signing up for Marketplace, Medicare, or employer coverage, see “What to do if OHP is ending” below.

Remaining renewals

On Feb. 13, 2024, the federal government approved a revised plan for Oregon’s remaining 126,000 post-pandemic renewals.

Many of these renewals were affected by a federal request for more than 30 states to review automated renewal processes or restorations of some Oregon Supplemental Income Program Medical (OSIPM) benefits. A May 2024 technical update to Oregon’s ONE Eligibility system  will enable Oregon to use the new automated  process  for the remaining renewals.

Renewal letters will be sent to members in four waves between June and September. Members will still have 90 days to respond, and 60 days’ advance notice before any termination or reduction in benefits. This means the final responses would be due in December 2024, and the final closures will happen in February 2025.

Data about pandemic unwinding renewals appears in the Medical Redeterminations Dashboard.  The dashboard data and these press releases will not include renewals for OHP members who have already renewed early in the unwinding process, who are coming up for renewal again. Over time, Oregon is switching to renewing most OHP members every two years instead of annually.

April OHP renewal data

As of March 19, 2024, 1,317,810 people have completed the renewal process. This represents 90.6 percent of all OHP and Medicaid members.

• 1,077,765 people (81.8 percent) were renewed and kept their benefits.
• 226,042 people (17.2 percent) were found ineligible.
• 14,003 people (1.1 percent) had a reduction in their benefits. Most of these members lost full OHP but were able to continue Medicare Savings Programs that help pay their Medicare costs.

Find help renewing your benefits

1. Learn more about how to renew your Oregon Health Plan medical coverage.
2. Call the ONE Customer Service Center at 800-699-9075. All relay calls are accepted, and help is available in multiple languages. Wait times are lowest between 7 and 8 a.m.
3. Visit or call a local Oregon Department of Human Services office. People can find their local office at https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/Pages/office-finder.aspx.
4. Visit a community partner for free, in-person help. To find one near you visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp (English) or orhim.info/ayuda(Spanish).

What to do if your OHP is ending:

• First, review the case summary in your letter to make sure the information used to make the decision was correct. If that information has changed, notify the state via one of the options above If the information on file for you is correct and you disagree with the decision, you can request a hearing. Learn more about hearings.
• Explore options through an employer. If you, your spouse, or a parent are working, you may be eligible for health coverage through that employer. Talk to your manager or Human Resources department to see if you qualify. You will have a special enrollment period to enroll mid-year due to loss of OHP benefits.
• If you have or are eligible for Medicare: For help understanding and choosing the right Medicare options, go to https://OregonHealthcare.gov/GetHelp to find an insurance agent or a counselor at the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance Program (SHIBA). You can also call SHIBA at 800-722-4134.

If you need to sign up for Medicare for the first time, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 800-772-1213 to enroll by phone or find a local office. You can also enroll in Medicare online at ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up.

• Nearly 80 percent of Oregonians qualify for financial help through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. Visit OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop to answer a few quick questions, find out how much you can save and find out how much coverage may cost you. You can also call the Marketplace Transition Help Center at 833-699-6850 (toll-free, all relay calls accepted).
• Need free local help finding other coverage? Visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp to find professional help near you.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) are committed to transparency and will continue to send monthly information about medical coverage among Oregonians as the agencies continue to track the programs. Check our ONE Eligibility Operations Dashboards for more frequent updates on medical renewal data and wait times for callers to the ONE Customer Service Center.

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BEND, OR — Calling all writers! Submissions for the 10th annual Waterston Desert Writing Prize close May 1, 2024. This prestigious award, a program of the High Desert Museum, celebrates proposals for outstanding literary nonfiction dedicated to the literal and figurative exploration of desert landscapes. 

This year’s winner will receive a $3,000 cash award and be recognized with a reception and reading at the Museum in Bend, Oregon on September 26, 2024. Tickets are available now at highdesertmuseum.org/2024-waterston-ceremony. The winner and finalists will be selected by the 2024 guest judge Sam Waterston – renowned actor and brother of Prize founder Ellen Waterston.

Known for his work in theater, television and film, Sam Waterston gained stardom portraying DA  Jack McCoy on the NBC crime series Law & Order (1994–2010, 2022–), for which he has received a Screen Actors Guild Award, Golden Globe Award and Emmy Award. Waterston will announce the 2024 winner and address attendees during the Waterston Desert Writing Prize ceremonies either on video or in person alongside the 2024 Prize winner and the 2024 keynote speaker, Tucker Malarkey, who will attend in person.

Nationally bestselling author of the critically acclaimed and national bestselling novels An Obvious Enchantment and Resurrection, Malarkey’s first major work of nonfiction, Stronghold, describes one man’s journey to save salmon habitat in the U.S. and Russia. Stronghold was an editor’s pick for The New York Times, National Book Review, Outside and Forbes. With a career that began at The Washington Post, Malarkey’s love of human culture and wilderness have since taken her all over the world.

The Prize was established in 2014, inspired by author and poet Ellen Waterston’s love of the High Desert — a region that has been her muse for more than 40 years. The Waterston Desert Writing Prize celebrates writers whose nonfiction book proposal reflects a similar connection to a desert, recognizing the vital role deserts play in ecosystems and the human narrative.

Emerging, mid-career and established nonfiction writers who illustrate artistic excellence, sensitivity to place and desert literacy with the desert as both subject and setting are invited to apply. The award supports literary nonfiction writers who are completing, proposing or considering the creation of a book-length manuscript. It is recommended that the writing sample submitted is part of the proposed project or closely represents it in content and style.

To learn more about the Waterston Desert Writing Prize and how to submit an entry, visit highdesertmuseum.org/waterston-prize. The Prize is possible with support from The Source Weekly. Submissions will be accepted through May 1, 2024.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM:

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

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The new board will guide management of the nation’s largest research forest, shaping research, conservation, and economic outcomes 

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of State Lands is accepting letters of interest for the Elliott State Research Forest Board of Directors. 

Ensuring accountability, transparency, and meaningful engagement is critical to establishing and operating the Elliott as a public research forest. In April 2024, the State Land Board approved a research forest oversight structure that includes appointment of an ESRF Board of Directors. 

The ESRF Board will guide management of the research forest, with authority to shape management, research, conservation, economic and social outcomes of relevance at the local, statewide, national, and international level.  

The ESRF Board will consist of seven or nine voting and one nonvoting member designated by the ESRF’s lead research entity. Voting members are appointed by the State Land Board. The DSL Director will review letters of interest and develop a list of candidates for State Land Board consideration at its June 11, 2024, meeting. 

Individuals interested in being considered for the ESRF Board should review the recruitment flyer and submit the required interest materials no later than Sunday, May 12, 2024. 

At 4:29 P.M. on Tuesday afternoon, units from Douglas County Fire District No. 2 were dispatched to the report of a fishing boat in distress near Amacher Park in Winchester.  Shortly after arriving, the crews located an aluminum boat with a single occupant that had become lodged in the rapids.  The Technical Rescue Team from Douglas County Fire District No. 2 established command, set up crews downriver for safety, and launched their paddle raft.  They were able to free the boat from the rapids without issue and no injuries occurred.

Douglas County Fire District No.2 responded to this incident with 1 engine, 2 Rescue Units, 1 Ambulance, and a command unit with a total of 11 personnel.  Crews were assisted by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. 

With 2nd strike looming, nurses at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Services speak out hours ahead of contract mediation with PeaceHealth executives. 

Nurse Solidarity Action and Press Conference
Wednesday, April 24 at 9 a.m.
Public sidewalks near PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center Riverbend’s main entrance
3333 Riverbend Dr, Springfield, OR 97477

WHAT: Home health and hospice nurses at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Services, elected leaders and community allies are holding a solidarity action April 24 to speak about the importance of local home care services ahead of a contract mediation session with PeaceHealth executives. Nurses have spent more than a year fighting for a fair contract to address record turnover and job vacancies at PeaceHealth’s home health and hospice agency–the region’s largest home health service provider. 

On April 16, nurses voted to authorize an open-ended strike against PeaceHealth to protest PeaceHealth’s unlawful unfair labor practices (ULPs) and reach a fair contract agreement that improves community healthcare. Wednesday’s solidarity action precedes a scheduled contract mediation session between Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) nurse leaders and PeaceHealth executives at Riverbend. Nurses and local elected officials will speak and take media questions at the event. Members of Oregon’s Congressional delegation have also taken action to support nurses and sent a letter to PeaceHealth executives on April 23 calling for a “fair settlement that demonstrates the respect that healthcare workers deserve.”

WHEN: Wednesday, April 24 at 9 a.m.

WHERE: Public sidewalks near PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center Riverbend’s main entrance. (3333 Riverbend Dr, Springfield, OR 97477). Near the intersection of Cardinal Way and MLK Jr. Pkwy.

WHO: ONA nurses with PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Services and Riverbend, elected officials and community allies are scheduled to speak, including 

• Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis
• Lane County commissioner Laurie Trieger
• Lane County commissioner Heather Buch
• Springfield city councilor Kori Rodley
• Eugene Springfield IAFF Local 851 trustee Brett Deedon
• ONA bargaining unit chair Jo Turner, RN, hospice nurse at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Services
• ONA bargaining unit chair Chris Rompala, RN, nurse at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center Riverbend

WHY: Local home health and hospice nurses have endured 45+ contract bargaining sessions with PeaceHealth executives since Feb. 2023 including six sessions with a federal mediator. After holding a limited duration strike Feb. 10 - 24, nurses have voted to approve an open-ended strike to protest PeaceHealth’s unlawful unfair labor practices (ULPs) and reach a fair contract agreement that improves community healthcare. Despite nurses and community leaders’ best efforts, PeaceHealth executives continue demanding local nurses accept nearly 5% lower pay than PeaceHealth pays hospital nurses in Eugene/Springfield and hospital and home care nurses in Florence–despite both groups of home care nurses sharing managers and staff meetings and regularly caring for the same patients. 

PeaceHealth’s continued disrespect towards local nurses and their patients is driving nurses to leave–threatening our community’s health and exacerbating the care shortage. The nurse bargaining team intends to work towards a positive resolution in mediation but will call for a strike if they believe it is necessary to move PeaceHealth to meet the needs of patients, providers and our community. If a strike is called, ONA will provide our community and PeaceHealth with a 10-day notice to allow PeaceHealth executives adequate time to connect patients to alternate care options or to join us at the table and reach a fair agreement. 

The ONA represents more than 90 frontline nurses at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Services and nearly 1500 nurses at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center Riverbend. 

UPDATE

OSP is setting up to stream the news conference on Facebook and will send a news release following the news conference. 

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/OSPsocial/

OSP News Conference regarding AMBER Alert suspect from Washington

Date: April 23, 2024 at 6 p.m. 

Location: Public Safety Building, Harris Hall, 125 E 8th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401

Media may begin staging at 5:45 p.m. for the 6 p.m. news conference. OSP will provide an overview of the incident. It's uncertain whether OSP will take any questions at that time. 

Salem, OR – It’s a day to remember those who died on the job. It’s a day to grieve with families, friends, and communities. It’s a day to renew our responsibility to create and maintain safe and healthy workplaces for all workers in Oregon.

Oregon workers who died on the job will be honored with a ceremony at noon Friday, April 26, in Salem. The Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) – part of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) – and Oregon AFL-CIO invite all Oregonians to attend the Workers Memorial Day observance.

The event will take place at the Fallen Workers Memorial outside the Labor and Industries Building, 350 Winter St. NE, on the Capitol Mall. The memorial service, coordinated by Oregon AFL-CIO, will feature remarks from union leaders, safety and health advocates, and elected officials.

“Every day, people across Oregon leave their homes and go to work to provide for themselves and their families – and to help make the state a thriving place to live,” Gov. Tina Kotek said. “Today, we honor the Oregonians whose lives were tragically lost doing their job and offer our deepest condolences to their families. Going forward, we will continue our efforts to make working conditions safer, so all workers are better protected.”

During the ceremony, Sen. Deb Patterson and House Majority Leader Ben Bowman will read the names of Oregon workers who died on the job in 2023.

Oregon OSHA Administrator Renée Stapleton and Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor will serve as event speakers. The event will also include remarks from PCUN Representative Liz Marquez Gutierrez and a reading of Gov. Kotek’s proclamation by Vince Porter, the governor’s deputy chief of staff for public administration. 

Oregon workplaces are safer and healthier today than in previous decades. Yet, there are still far too many preventable on-the-job deaths each year. 

“Every worker and their family deserves to know, without question, that they will return home safely at the end of a shift,” Trainor said. “This year, we read the names of 56 fallen workers, which is an increase from last year and the absolutely starkest reminder that workplace safety must be taken seriously. Oregon unions will advocate for safety improvements on the job until there are no names to be read aloud on Workers Memorial Day. This is our most critical mission, and, while we’ve made significant progress, we must always strive for perfection when it comes to keeping working people safe on the job.” 

Through a partnership of labor, business, and government working together to bolster workplace safety and health, Oregon’s fatality and injury and illness rates have steadily declined for decades.

Nevertheless, there is room for improvement.

“As we honor the memories of the lives tragically taken from us, we must also summon our courage, skill, and ethical duty to rekindle our commitment to protecting the safety and health of all workers in Oregon,” Stapleton said. “Everyone who plays a role in the safety and health of Oregon workplaces – employers, managers, safety and health professionals, employees, co-workers – must do this with urgency and clarity. Through our actions and words, we must carry the message forward that workers have an indisputable right to a safe and healthy workplace and that employers are obligated – not just legally, but morally – to protect their workers from harm.”

The annual Workers Memorial Day serves as a nationwide day of remembrance. The observance is traditionally held on April 28 because the U.S. Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act on that date in 1970.

Resources are available to workers and employers to advance on-the-job safety and health in Oregon, including:

Oregon OSHA

• Rights and responsibilities
• Protect against retaliation 
• Keeping employees safe
• Education and training

DCBS Multicultural Communications Program

• Providing outreach to communities with limited English proficiency

Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers

• Independent advocate for Oregon workers, including guidance on workers’ rights and responsibilities in workers’ compensation and workplace safety and health

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Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. For more information, visit Oregon OSHA. 

The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon's largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more information, visit DCBS. 

The Oregon AFL-CIO is the statewide federation of affiliated unions, representing more than 300,000 working Oregonians.  For more information, visit Oregon AFL-CIO.

Over 4,000 SOLVE volunteers celebrated Earth Day across 126 Oregon Spring Cleanup events over the span of ten days

Portland, Ore., April 23, 2024 – The Oregon Spring Cleanup, in partnership with Portland General Electric, concluded on Earth Day yesterday with resounding success. Between April 13 and April 22, more than 4,000 volunteers across Oregon and SW Washington gathered for a celebration of Earth Day, where they collectively picked up 21,981 pounds of litter and marine debris and removed 21,900 square feet of invasive plant species such as English Ivy and Himalayan Blackberry. Families, community members, neighborhood associations, youth groups, and environmental enthusiasts once again made the Oregon Spring Cleanup the highlight of SOLVE's annual calendar. 

Oregon Spring Cleanup History

Rooted in SOLVE's longstanding traditions, the Oregon Spring Cleanup merged two of the organization's most cherished events—the Spring Oregon Beach Cleanup, dating back to 1986, and SOLVE IT for Earth Day, which began in 1990.

Oregon Spring Cleanup event highlights

SE Portland Eco-Disco: Litter Cleanup & Silent Disco, April 20th:

In collaboration with Heartbeat Silent Disco, this unique Earth Day celebration, in partnership with Portland General Electric, drew 114 volunteers to Portland’s Central Eastside. Following the cleanup in the Buckman neighborhood, where 800 lbs of litter got collected, the festivities continued with a free silent dance party, adding an extra layer of celebration to the cleanup efforts. Volunteers were provided with wireless headphones with personal volume control and adjustable fit, allowing everyone to enjoy the music while respecting the natural surroundings.

Cityscape Sparkle: Earth Day Cleanup at Sport Oregon, April 22nd:

This litter cleanup event took place on Earth Day and went beyond tidying up the neighborhood streets. 100 participants came together for a day of community, cleanliness, and local love at Sport Oregon to foster a sense of unity and enhance the local environment. 

“Once again, we were thrilled to witness the vibrant array of events orchestrated by our community, showcasing the power of collective action in honoring Earth Day," enthuses Kris Carico, CEO of SOLVE. "This annual event series continues to serve as a beacon, drawing together volunteers and SOLVE partners from across the Pacific Northwest in a joyous celebration of our planet. From the shores of Oregon’s northernmost tip in Astoria, down the coast to Brookings, and extending to riverside locations such as Cascade Locks, Sandy, and Breitenbush, as well as reaching Baker City in Eastern Oregon, the spirit of Earth Day resonated through every cleanup endeavor." Carico highlights the diverse range of initiatives, including the impactful efforts of the Portland chapter of Women Who Explore, bringing together 20 women for a Pre-Earth Day Riverside Cleanup at Kelley Point Park. A Girl Scout group also picked up trash along the Molalla River in Clackamas County and the Clark County Master Gardener group held an impactful Service Day in Vancouver, Washington. "These events exemplify the spirit of community and environmental stewardship that lies at the heart of SOLVE," Carico adds. 

Photo Contest

There is still time for volunteers and event leaders to send in the pictures they have taken during their cleanup events and habitat restoration projects. Everyone who submits their photos and videos by 
April 28 will enter the SOLVE photo contest with chances to win a 1-year AAA membership. Ways to enter include tagging SOLVE on Facebook or Instagram, using #OregonSpringCleanup2024, or sending us their footage via email to info@solveoregon.org. SOLVE likes to see volunteers in action, before and after cleanup shots, the largest and tiniest items you've picked up, and most importantly, your smiling faces!

Anyone who couldn’t attend an Oregon Spring Cleanup event this year can support SOLVE by individual giving. A donation of any size helps SOLVE to host more events year after year and to provide volunteers with free supplies, event leader training, and all the support they need to run a successful event.

Oregon Spring Cleanup Sponsors 2024

Along with Portland General Electric, other event sponsors include Clean Water Services, AAA Oregon/Idaho, Fred Meyer, Metro, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, KOIN, The Oregonian, The Standard, Swire Coca-Cola, Holman, Demarini-Wilson, TriMet, PepsiCo, and Wells Fargo.

About SOLVE 

SOLVE is a statewide non-profit organization that brings people together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model for volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon and Southwest Washington to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information. 

Over 4,000 SOLVE volunteers celebrated Earth Day across 126 Oregon Spring Cleanup events over the span of ten days

Portland, Ore., April 23, 2024 – The Oregon Spring Cleanup, in partnership with Portland General Electric, concluded on Earth Day yesterday with resounding success. Between April 13 and April 22, more than 4,000 volunteers across Oregon and SW Washington gathered for a celebration of Earth Day, where they collectively picked up 21,981 pounds of litter and marine debris and removed 21,900 square feet of invasive plant species such as English Ivy and Himalayan Blackberry. Families, community members, neighborhood associations, youth groups, and environmental enthusiasts once again made the Oregon Spring Cleanup the highlight of SOLVE's annual calendar. 

Oregon Spring Cleanup History

Rooted in SOLVE's longstanding traditions, the Oregon Spring Cleanup merged two of the organization's most cherished events—the Spring Oregon Beach Cleanup, dating back to 1986, and SOLVE IT for Earth Day, which began in 1990.

Oregon Spring Cleanup event highlights

SE Portland Eco-Disco: Litter Cleanup & Silent Disco, April 20th:

In collaboration with Heartbeat Silent Disco, this unique Earth Day celebration, in partnership with Portland General Electric, drew 114 volunteers to Portland’s Central Eastside. Following the cleanup in the Buckman neighborhood, where 800 lbs of litter got collected, the festivities continued with a free silent dance party, adding an extra layer of celebration to the cleanup efforts. Volunteers were provided with wireless headphones with personal volume control and adjustable fit, allowing everyone to enjoy the music while respecting the natural surroundings.

Cityscape Sparkle: Earth Day Cleanup at Sport Oregon, April 22nd:

This litter cleanup event took place on Earth Day and went beyond tidying up the neighborhood streets. 100 participants came together for a day of community, cleanliness, and local love at Sport Oregon to foster a sense of unity and enhance the local environment. 

“Once again, we were thrilled to witness the vibrant array of events orchestrated by our community, showcasing the power of collective action in honoring Earth Day," enthuses Kris Carico, CEO of SOLVE. "This annual event series continues to serve as a beacon, drawing together volunteers and SOLVE partners from across the Pacific Northwest in a joyous celebration of our planet. From the shores of Oregon’s northernmost tip in Astoria, down the coast to Brookings, and extending to riverside locations such as Cascade Locks, Sandy, and Breitenbush, as well as reaching Baker City in Eastern Oregon, the spirit of Earth Day resonated through every cleanup endeavor." Carico highlights the diverse range of initiatives, including the impactful efforts of the Portland chapter of Women Who Explore, bringing together 20 women for a Pre-Earth Day Riverside Cleanup at Kelley Point Park. A Girl Scout group also picked up trash along the Molalla River in Clackamas County and the Clark County Master Gardener group held an impactful Service Day in Vancouver, Washington. "These events exemplify the spirit of community and environmental stewardship that lies at the heart of SOLVE," Carico adds. 

Photo Contest

There is still time for volunteers and event leaders to send in the pictures they have taken during their cleanup events and habitat restoration projects. Everyone who submits their photos and videos by 
April 28 will enter the SOLVE photo contest with chances to win a 1-year AAA membership. Ways to enter include tagging SOLVE on Facebook or Instagram, using #OregonSpringCleanup2024, or sending us their footage via email to info@solveoregon.org. SOLVE likes to see volunteers in action, before and after cleanup shots, the largest and tiniest items you've picked up, and most importantly, your smiling faces!

Anyone who couldn’t attend an Oregon Spring Cleanup event this year can support SOLVE by individual giving. A donation of any size helps SOLVE to host more events year after year and to provide volunteers with free supplies, event leader training, and all the support they need to run a successful event.

Oregon Spring Cleanup Sponsors 2024

Along with Portland General Electric, other event sponsors include Clean Water Services, AAA Oregon/Idaho, Fred Meyer, Metro, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, KOIN, The Oregonian, The Standard, Swire Coca-Cola, Holman, Demarini-Wilson, TriMet, and PepsiCo.

About SOLVE 

SOLVE is a statewide non-profit organization that brings people together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model for volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon and Southwest Washington to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information. 

April 23, 2024

Media Contact: Erica Heartquist, ica.j.heartquist@oha.oregon.gov">erica.j.heartquist@oha.oregon.gov, 503.871.8843

Report: As health care costs increase, Oregon patients are paying more in deductibles and copays

Oregon Health Authority furthers commitment to helping make healthcare more affordable across state

(PORTLAND, Ore. –) According to an Oregon Health Authority (OHA) report out today, the amount that Oregonians with commercial and Medicare Advantage insurance paid in deductibles, copays and co-insurance increased more than 17 percent from 2015 to 2022. As health care costs continue to grow, the amount that people with health insurance pay for their care – known as patient responsibility or patient cost sharing – is also rising.

On average, in 2022, people in Oregon with commercial health insurance were responsible for 13.4% of their total health care costs, and people with Medicare Advantage insurance were responsible for 9.1% of their total health care costs. This does not include how much people pay for their health insurance premiums.

Over the past several years, patient cost sharing increased by 17.4% for commercially insured Oregonians and 17.7% for those with Medicare Advantage insurance. That growth was driven primarily by increasing deductibles in the commercial market and co-insurance for prescription drugs in the Medicare Advantage market.

At least 28 percent of Oregonians were considered underinsured in 2021, meaning that even though they have health insurance, it was too expensive for them to use.

“Too many Oregonians are struggling to afford their health care, even as more than 95 percent of people in the state now have health coverage,” said OHA Director, Dr. Sejal Hathi. “This report provides more information about how much people in Oregon are paying for health care and the reasons for those cost increases. Health insurance should open the door to care, but instead, we know that even moderate increases in cost sharing can thwart access for those who need it most. OHA will continue to work both to rein in health care costs and to protect and expand access to care.”

What is Patient Cost Sharing?

When an individual or a household buys healthcare insurance, they agree to a certain set of arrangements for services are covered by the health plan and how much of the cost the health plan will pay. The portion of the cost of covered services that the patient is responsible for is “patient cost sharing.”

Unlike health insurance premiums, which are paid to the health plan whether any services are used or not, cost sharing only applies when services are used. Examples of patient cost sharing are deductibles, copays and co-insurance.

Report Findings

The report shows that people in Oregon with commercial health insurance paid for 13.6% of their total health care costs on average in 2022, with more than half of that going toward deductibles. Commercial deductibles grew 31.9% between 2015-2022, faster than the growth in commercial co-insurance (19.2%) and copays (4.3%).

This is in part due to the increase in number of people who have a high-deductible health plan. People with high deductible health plans are responsible for 22.9% of their total health care costs, even though their average annual health care costs were lower.

The report also shows that in 2022, people in Oregon with Medicare Advantage insurance paid 9.1% of their total health care costs, on average. More than 60 percent of Medicare Advantage cost sharing was in the form of copays and less than 5 percent was paid in deductibles.

In the commercial market, almost 40% of the cost sharing in 2022 was for professional services like a doctor’s visit. In the Medicare Advantage market, almost 40% of the cost sharing in 2022 was for prescription drugs, with people paying increasingly more in co-insurance for specialty drugs.

For More Information

OHA presented preliminary findings on patient cost sharing in an educational webinar in March. The recording from that webinar is available online here. View the patient cost sharing analysis webinar slides here.

The Cost Growth Target Advisory Committee meets each month to discuss and plan strategies for increased health care affordability.

Explore the patient cost sharing data in an interactive online dashboard and find the full patient cost sharing report online  here.

On April 23rd at about 2 a.m., a Lane County Sheriff’s deputy was responding from the Eugene area to an urgent call for service. The deputy was driving eastbound on Beltline Highway near Delta Highway when the deputy’s vehicle struck a slow-moving vehicle. The deputy and two occupants of the other vehicle were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  At the request of the Sheriff’s Office on-duty supervisor, the Eugene Police Department responded and will handle the crash investigation.

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University recently added a new position of Assistant Director of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives in its Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to support efforts to become a Hispanic-Serving Institution. After a search, Cristian Mendez Garcia has been selected for this role and officially started on April 22. 

Mendez Garcia's journey began in the early 1990s when he immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico, settling in the Monmouth-Independence community. His educational path led him to Western, where he pursued his passion for art, graduating with a degree in graphic design and fine art photography. As the son of migrant workers, Mendez Garcia deeply appreciates the transformative power of higher education in opening doors to a brighter future. Drawing from his own experiences, he has dedicated his career to advancing opportunities for others. With a wealth of experience in the business sector, Mendez Garcia served as a business operations manager for T-Mobile, honing his skills in strategic planning and project management. In addition, he played a pivotal role as the Chapter Chair for T-Mobile’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts in the Oregon region, demonstrating his commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace culture. His dedication to Western extends beyond the classroom and workplace. Mendez Garcia has served on the WOU Foundation board and most recently held the position of Trustee member on the Western Oregon University Board of Trustees, where he continues to champion initiatives aimed at enhancing the university's mission and impact.

“I am incredibly thrilled to continue my work with Western Oregon University and am proud of our emerging HSI status,” shares Mendez Garcia. “Higher education is transformative and I love being in a position where I can help WOU achieve its HSI designation to help our students and the institution succeed.”

“I am excited to have Cristian join the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to support our university efforts to become a Hispanic Serving Institution,” says Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Dominique Vargas. “Cristian has a broad scope of diversity, equity, and inclusion experience combined with strategic planning, community engagement, and program development. He also has a clear passion for and investment in the Western Oregon University community. We will collaboratively vision our path forward as an emerging Hispanic institution, and work across stakeholder groups to better serve our students and community.” 

This Friday, April 26, Western is hosting its third annual Hispanic Serving Institution Summit, where state and national partners join the university and greater community to share ideas and best practices and discuss why becoming an HSI is critically important to student success and the greater community. This year’s summit will feature two keynote presenters, Patrick L. Valdez, Ph. D., and Marissa Vasquez, Ph. D., who will focus on the history, policy, and current context of Hispanic Serving Institutions, and discuss operationalizing servingness. There will also be a student panel, an afternoon of concurrent sessions, and networking time for attendees.

Learn more about the summit.

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About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon's oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction.  Together we succeed.

Salem, Ore. - The Oregon National Guard’s Biak Training Center, in Powell Butte, is scheduled to host active-duty Army rotary wing night training missions, outside of normal operations hours over April 24-29, 2024. The visiting unit is located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, in Tacoma, Washington.

Army rotary wing aircraft are scheduled to conduct intermittent nighttime air operations at Biak’s

Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) training site in order to maintain pilot and crew proficiency necessary to support real world military operations. 

“Night training missions are a critical component for pilots to maintain their readiness for real-world missions,” said Michael Paul, Biak Training Area Manager. “We understand that this type of training can be disruptive to the local community and appreciate their support for mission readiness.”

Night flying operations will occur from sundown until approximately midnight and may include low-level flying and refueling stops at the Redmond Airport.

Information regarding Biak Training Center may be found on the Oregon Military Department website at https://www.oregon.gov/omd/programs/Pages/Biak-Training-Center.aspx

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Salem, Ore. – Tucked away with a stack of other tickets in a Tupperware container was this year’s $1 million Raffle ticket. Leslie Carr, 52, of Portland claimed the prize on Monday after she brought her pile of tickets to the retailer where she buys them – the Fred Meyer in Happy Valley. 

“I had no idea I was the winner,” said Carr, who works as a medical receptionist. “If it weren’t for the billion dollar Powerball winner making news, I would have forgot. We don’t check our tickets.”

After scanning a few dozen tickets for other draw games in the store, the last one was the winning Raffle ticket, drawn on March 15. When the machine came up with a message that she needed to go an Oregon Lottery office, she asked a staff member at the store to double check. 

“I heard him say, ‘Oh, I can’t cash this because your prize is worth over $1,000,’” she said. “That’s when I started getting butterflies.” 

Carr plans to use the money to pay off the mortgage on the home she shares with her husband, calling it “a dream come true.” A new truck to replace the one she currently drives with a broken windshield is also on her wish list, along with a vacation to Hawaii. 

Carr said she regularly plays the annual Raffle and has never won. Prizes for the Raffle include the $1 million top prize, along with 300 prizes of $500, and 1,500 prizes of $100. The Raffle offers the best odds of any Oregon Lottery game to win $1 million – 1 in 250,000. Overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 138.8. The Oregon Lottery’s Raffle game went on sale December 31, 2023, and all 250,000 tickets were sold out by March 8, 2024. 

The Oregon Lottery reminds players to always sign the back of their Lottery tickets, regardless of the game. In the event of winning a jackpot, they should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. 

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned nearly $15.5 billion for economic development, public education, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org. 

Lebanon Fire District responds to shed fire in Lacomb. At approximately 1212am Lebanon Fire was dispatched for the report of structure fire in 33000 block of Ford Mill Rd. Initial reports stated that there was a shed on fire with livestock inside. BC31 was the first arriving unit and found a 20X30 shed that was fully involved and spreading to a vehicle that was parked close by. The first arriving Engine was able to make a quick knock down on the fire and keep it form spreading to other parked vehicles. Lebanon Fire District responded with 2 Engines, 3 Water Tenders, 2 Ambulances and a Battalion Chief Vehicle. Totaling 13 people.  Lebanon Fire District was assisted by Albany Fire Department for City coverage while the fire was being extinguished. 

Lebanon Fire district would like to remind everyone to use caution when using portable heat sources. It is important to make sure that the heat source is secured and away from placed a safe distance from combustible items. 

WHAT
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management is hosting its eighth annual Oregon Prepared Conference for the emergency management community this Tuesday through Thursday in Sunriver.

WHY
The annual conference serves as a vital gathering for emergency management professionals, providing a forum for stakeholders from various sectors to exchange ideas, discuss current trends, and share information about the latest tools and technology in emergency management and homeland security. Attendees include partners with a role in preparedness, response, recovery and resilience from tribes, counties, cities, special districts, state and federal emergency management agencies, public safety and health preparedness sectors, non-profit organizations, and private sector businesses.

WHO
Oregon Department of Emergency Management Director Erin McMahon and Deputy Director Patence Winningham will be available for interviews about the state of emergency management in Oregon. Media may also visit a workshop session for B-roll footage.

WHEN
Media Avail from 9:45-10:15 a.m., Today, April 23

WHERE
Great Hall Conference Center
Sunriver Lodge
57081 Great Hall Loop, Sunriver, Oregon

OTHER INFORMATION
Website: Oregon Prepared Emergency Preparedness Workshop
Program: Oregon Prepared Emergency Preparedness Workshop Program

SOCIAL
@oregonOEM on Facebook, X and LinkedIn

ONSITE MEDIA CONTACT
Chris Crabb (she/her)
OEM Public Affairs Officer
971-719-0089 (talk or text)
Please text upon arrival

Devon was located this evening just moments ago. He is safe back home and uninjured. Thank you for the public assistance.  

Devon Whiteshell, age 14 walked away from his care home near Ward Dr NE / Lancaster Dr NE in Salem around 5:40 p.m. this evening.

Devon is 5’02” tall, skinny build. He was last seen wearing a gray zip-up jacket, dark blue/black jeans, and carrying a small book.

If you locate him, please keep him in your sight and call 911.

On April 22^nd, a male reported Timothy Leon Shafer, 54, had beat him with a metal T-post, knocking him unconscious and severely injuring him the night before. Deputies contacted the victim and confirmed his injuries. They responded to the 88800 block of Poodle Creek Road, where the incident took place, and located evidence confirming the victim’s account. 

Surprisingly, when deputies arrived, they observed Shafer trespassing along with a female, Ana Maria Teresa Glica, 47, and another male. Shafer and Glica were arrested for Trespass in the Second Degree and lodged in the Lane County Jail. Shafer was also charged with Assault in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Another male on the property was cited in lieu of custody for Trespass in the Second Degree.

PORTLAND, OREGON– On Friday, April 19, 2024, FBI Director Christopher Wray presented the Interfaith Peace and Action Collaborative (IPAC) with the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA) for their service to the Portland area. Lisa Broderick accepted the FBI Portland 2023 Director’s Community Leadership Award on behalf of IPAC. IPAC is a united group that proactively gathers as members of faith, community, business, and law enforcement to discuss and create action around bringing peace to Portland’s streets. The group researches best practices and identifies appropriate actions, technology, and street-level solutions to address violence at a grassroots level. IPAC is also working to become a model for, and share information with, other cities that are struggling with an uptick in crime. 

“IPAC is intentional about promoting restraint on the street and creating and maintaining dialogue between the community members it represents and law enforcement. This directly intersects with the FBI’s national mission of protecting the American people, and FBI Portland’s local mission of keeping the people of Oregon safe,” said Douglas A. Olson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Portland Field Office. “FBI Portland is proud to work with the leaders of IPAC as they devote countless hours to addressing the crisis of violence on Portland streets and are working toward solutions for a safer, shared community.”

The FBI established the DCLA in 1990 to publicly acknowledge the achievements of those working to make a difference in their communities through the promotion of education and the prevention of crime and violence. Each year, one person or organization from each of the FBI’s 56 field offices is chosen to receive this prestigious award.

"Our success as both a law enforcement and an intelligence agency hinges on our ability to foster and maintain genuine partnerships with people in all communities,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “People like this year’s Leadership Award recipients not only identify what others need, but they are willing to roll up their sleeves and provide services. They are building bridges and relationships while putting in the work to have hard conversations and find common purpose. They do it out of kindness and compassion with a sincere belief that justice – in its many forms – requires all of us to do the right thing in the right way."

Director Wray hosted the 2023 DCLA winners in a special ceremony at FBI Headquarters on April 19th, emphasizing the importance of community partnerships in keeping our shared communities safe. These partnerships – as exemplified by the breadth of the work by the DCLA recipients – have led to a host of crime prevention programs that protect the most vulnerable in our communities, educate families and businesses about cyber threats, and work to reduce violent crime in our neighborhoods. Learn more about the Director's Community Leadership Award, IPAC, and the FBI Portland Field Office online DCLA 2023 Winners — FBI. Learn more about the FBI’s general outreach efforts, and the Portland Field Office online About — FBI.

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Attached photo: Lisa Broderick accepted the FBI Portland 2023 Director’s Community Leadership Award on behalf of the Interfaith Peace and Action Collaborative. 

PORTLAND, Ore.— Every April, the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) to honor crime victims, promote their rights and recognize victim advocates. This year’s observance, the 43^rd annual commemoration, takes place April 21-27, 2024, with the theme: Options, services, and hope for crime survivors.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office joins its federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners in taking this opportunity to highlight the importance of providing necessary services at the earliest possible stage of victimization and litigation. Early intervention helps prevent further victimization and encourages victim involvement in the criminal justice system, mitigating the cycle of violence and restoring hope for the future.

“Through the work of our victim services team, our new special victims unit, and all our staff who work on victim cases, seeking justice on behalf crime victims is central to our mission and continues to be a top priority for our office,” said Natalie Wight, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, victim advocacy organizations, community groups and state, local, and tribal agencies host rallies, candlelight vigils, and other events to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services.

OVC and U.S. Attorney’s Offices encourage widespread participation in the week’s events and in other victim-related observances throughout the year. For additional information about this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and how to assist victims in your community, please visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.gov. For ongoing updates from OVC and ideas for how you can support crime victims throughout the year, please subscribe to OVC’s email notifications at https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/subscribe/.

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911. If you believe you have been the target or victim of a crime, please contact your local law enforcement agency or your nearest FBI field office immediately. The FBI Portland Field Office can be reached at (503) 224-4181 or by submitting tips online at tips.fbi.gov.

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On April 19th around noon, Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue and Marine Patrol deputies were dispatched to a report of a 59-year-old male in the water at Lookout Point Lake. The male had fallen out of his kayak but was wearing a lifejacket. He was unable to get back in the boat, however, and had been in the water for over 15 minutes. Deputies were able to get the male and his kayaking partner to shore. The male was transported to the hospital to be evaluated for hypothermia.

This call could have turned out tragically had the boaters not been wearing life jackets. Our many lakes and rivers are still frigid from snow melt and cold spring nights. It can take only minutes for even a strong swimmer submerged in the water to lose the ability to swim or even call for help.

Enjoy Lane County’s waterways, but please, ALWAYS wear a life jacket!

The four $25,000 investments are part of OnPoint’s Green Horizons initiative to protect the Pacific Northwest’s environment and fight climate change

PORTLAND, Ore., April 22, 2024 — In celebration of Earth Day 2024, OnPoint Community Credit Union has donated $100,000 to local nonprofits working to preserve and protect the environment, natural resources and wildlife in Oregon and SW Washington. 

The donation is part of OnPoint’s Green Horizons initiative, which launched in 2021 to help empower the credit union’s members and employees to care for the planet. This year’s beneficiaries are The Nature Conservancy in Oregon, Friends of Trees, McKenzie River Trust and Columbia Slough Watershed Council. Each organization will receive $25,000.

“Earth Day is a powerful reminder of how critical it is to preserve our planet for future generations,” said Rob Stuart, President and CEO, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “The Green Horizons initiative is OnPoint’s commitment to giving our community the opportunity to make a difference, while amplifying the work of local organizations dedicated to protecting our planet. We are proud to support these four incredible organizations that are at the forefront of environmental conservation.” 

OnPoint’s Green Horizons provides members with financing discounts on electric or hybrid vehicles and solar panels, partners with local environmental nonprofits, and offers employees telecommuting programs, volunteer opportunities and environmental education. Since its launch, OnPoint has donated more than $500,000 to local nonprofits working to create a more sustainable future.

Supporting Oregon’s conservation with local nonprofit support

The Nature Conservancy in Oregon (TNC) brings people together to solve the most significant conservation challenges of our time. Since 2017, OnPoint has donated more than $340,000 to help fund projects, including forest restoration, ensuring vibrant and resilient coastal communities and sustainable fisheries, and protecting existing soil and underground carbon in Eastern Oregon. In 2021, OnPoint pledged up to $250 to TNC for every approved electric or hybrid vehicle loan with OnPoint. The campaign resulted in 1,474 approved green auto loans and a $226,750 donation to TNC. 

“We are so grateful for OnPoint’s continued support of our mission,” said Derek Johnson, State Director of The Nature Conservancy in Oregon. “This generous contribution will help us further our progress in tackling urgent environmental challenges while strengthening Oregon’s natural defenses against climate change.”

Friends of Trees partners with local communities to plant trees creating a healthier environment for local communities. Friends of Trees has planted over 950,000 trees and native shrubs in neighborhoods and natural areas in Oregon and SW Washington since 1989. Friends of Trees contributes to a greener, more sustainable future through its planting efforts and fosters a deep connection between community members and their environment. 

“Our partnerships help make it possible to engage community members in tree planting projects in neighborhoods and natural areas throughout Oregon,” said Yashar Vasef, Executive Director for Friends of Trees. “OnPoint’s partnership and generous donation will bring people together to take real climate action in their communities.”

McKenzie River Trust has brought communities together to protect and restore western Oregon’s land and waters since 1989. The McKenzie River Trust has protected over 7,000 acres of special lands, conserving critical habitats for wildlife, clean water and natural landscapes while promoting a climate-resilient and sustainable future. The Trust works to reestablish native vegetation and natural water cycles to ensure these lands withstand and adapt to environmental changes. It also safeguards the natural beauty and biodiversity of the region and engages the community in sustainable practices, contributing significantly to a healthier planet.

“Partnering with organizations like OnPoint helps us achieve our mission to protect and care for Oregon’s lands and rivers,” said Elizabeth Goward, Community Engagement Manager for the Trust. “We are grateful for the supportive partnership and look forward to continuing our work protect important places, connect people to the outdoors, and ensure a vibrant future for the land, water, and people of western Oregon.”

Columbia Slough Watershed Council partners with community members to enhance the Columbia Slough and its watershed through community engagement, education and restoration. Columbia Slough Watershed Council has worked in response to rampant development and loss of open space to fight pollution since the early 1990s. A key component of their strategy is the Slough School program, which offers free environmental education to K-12 students. This initiative educates students about the ecosystem’s history and ecology through hands-on learning and fosters a sense of stewardship and connection to their local environment.

“Our goal is to ensure our urban watershed is rich in clean water and healthy habitats that support the needs of fish, wildlife, plants and people,” said Heather King, Executive Director for Columbia Slough Watershed Council. “Everything we do is made possible by community partners like OnPoint, and we are so grateful for their generosity and shared commitment to creating a cleaner environment.”

Increasing accessibility with auto and home special rate discounts

OnPoint’s Green Horizons offers special rate discounts for members to make going green more accessible. The Green Auto Discount offers 0.25%¹ Annual Percentage Rate (APR) off auto loan rates for new or used electric or hybrid vehicles financed through OnPoint. People in the market for electric or hybrid vehicles can also find additional incentives through Oregon, Washington and federal programs.

OnPoint’s Green Horizons also makes it more affordable for homeowners to produce their own solar electricity. When homeowners apply for an EquityFlex Line of Credit for home improvements, they can fix a portion of their line of credit for the purchase of solar panels and receive a 0.25%² discount off the EquityFlex Fixed Portion APR. Homeowners can find even more savings by looking at incentives and rebate programs in Oregon and Washington.

For more information about OnPoint’s investment in building a greener future, such as telecommuting programs, employee volunteer opportunities, and other donations to environmentally-focused organizations, please visit onpointcu.com/green-horizons.

ABOUT ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION

OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving over 554,000 members and with assets of $9 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and two Washington counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. OnPoint Community Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). More information is available at www.onpointcu.com or 503-228-7077 or 800-527-3932.

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1. APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Vehicles meeting OnPoint’s Green Auto Discount standards receive a 0.25% discount off stated APR (Annual Percentage Rate). All OnPoint loans are subject to credit terms and approval. Discount does not apply to existing OnPoint auto loans.
2. Receive a 0.25% discount off stated EquityFlex Fixed Portion APR when proceeds are used to purchase solar panels. Review of purchase order or invoice required to qualify. Discount applies to invoice/purchase order amount, not to exceed $12,000. All OnPoint loans are subject to credit terms and approval.

04/22/24 Update: At about 7:20 a.m. on April 22nd, area residents spotted Dimmick in the 91800 block of Mill Creek Road and contacted the Lane County Sheriff's Office. Residents were able to observe and update Dispatch until deputies and Oregon State Police troopers arrived on scene. Dimmick attempted to hide in a port-a-potty, but surrendered after several minutes. He was arrested without further incident and transported to the Lane County Jail, where he was lodged on a Lane County Circuit Court warrant for Kidnap in the Second Degree, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Reckless Endangering. He was also charged for Elude by Vehicle and Elude by Foot from the earlier vehicle pursuit.  

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04/21/24 Update: Late in the evening of April 21st, Sheriff's deputies and a K9, Oregon State Police, and a Springfield Police K9 responded to a reported sighting of Dimmick at Terwilliger Hot Springs.  He was reportedly still armed with a sword and was asking for a ride to town. He was not located, and it is unknown if he was given a ride before law enforcement arrived. Anyone who encounters Dimmick is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150 option 1.

Thanks to the Oregon State Police and Springfield Police K9 for their assistance. 

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At about 11 a.m. on April 20^th, deputies and Oregon State Police troopers responded to the area of Terwilliger Hot Springs for a report of a disorderly subject swinging a sword around and inhaling nitrous oxide.  The subject left prior to their arrival, but was then observed driving back toward the hot springs.  A deputy attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle.  The driver attempted to elude the deputy up gravel Forest Service roads to the south.  They were able to identify the driver as Andrew Hamilton Dimmick, 33, of Crawfordsville, and determined he had several warrants for his arrest.  Eventually the vehicle stopped due to downed trees blocking the road, and Dimmick fled on foot.  A Sheriff’s K9 and two Eugene Police K9s responded and began searching the area along with a drone.  After several hours of searching in difficult terrain, they were unable to locate Dimmick.  

Dimmick is described as 6’4” tall, 175 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.  He was last seen wearing a green hoodie and blue shorts, and may still be armed with a sword.  If you observe a matching subject or have more information on this case, please contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150 option 1.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Oregon State Police and Eugene Police K9s for their assistance on this call.  

Finding childcare is challenging for many parents in our area, and a lack of childcare can keep parents from being able to participate in the workplace. As part of its efforts to attract and keep a talented workforce, Lane County is partnering with local childcare provider Tip Tap Grow to help its employees access childcare. 

“We are one of many areas in Oregon considered a childcare desert,” said Lane County Chief Human Resources Officer Alana Holmes. “When we surveyed our employees last year, hundreds shared their concerns about being able to obtain childcare. This new partnership will not only support our employees and help Lane County remain an employer of choice, but also supports a growing local business.”

The partnership will allow County employees to be prioritized for up to 50 new spots at Tip Tap Grow for children between 6 weeks old and 6 years old. County employees will be responsible for paying the same tuition rates as other parents. Any of the 50 spots not used by a County employee will be available to the public.

In order to help Tip Tap Grow expand and offer these new placements, Lane County is providing an investment of $25,000 in the business. 

“This is a first for our agency,” said Holmes. “We hope to see other employers begin to invest in similar programs so that more parents have access to childcare.”

Tip Tap Grow celebrated with a ribbon cutting this past weekend and will open on May 1. 

About Tip Tap Grow

Tip Tap Grow is a childcare center with a unique performing arts model that supports the growth and development of children. It is also a recent recipient of a Seeding Justice Grant to help support its expansion. More information is available at www.tiptapgrow.com. 

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Salem, Oregon – Next week, 18-year-old Katie Lineburg of Hillsboro will embark on the greatest adventure of her lifetime. As Oregon’s 2024 champion, Lineburg will travel to Washington D.C. to compete in the Poetry Out Loud National Competition on Wednesday, May 1. Her D.C. itinerary also includes meetings with Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Sen. Jeff Merkley.

“I am so filled with thankfulness, anticipation and awe as I prepare for my trip to Washington D.C.,” said Lineburg. “This experience has been such a whirlwind of blessing, growth and new opportunities, and I will forever be grateful for the chance to represent my home state of Oregon as well as my school and everyone who has made this adventure of a lifetime possible as I compete at Poetry Out Loud nationals.”

A senior from St. Stephen’s Academy, Lineburg will compete in the national semifinals from 2 to 5 p.m. (PDT) on Wednesday, May 1. The competition will be live-streamed on the National Endowment for the Arts website. The top nine students will advance to the national finals at 4 p.m. (PDT) on Thursday, May 2, also to be live-streamed.

Lineburg is the oldest of five siblings who loves music and spending time with friends and family. She is a member of the St. Stephen’s Academy Festival Choir and loves poetry because “it allows her to connect with people and express emotions in a deeper way.” She has also loved public speaking since a very young age.

“The reading of poetry can transform the written word into a deeply felt shared experience,” said First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson, who attended the Poetry Out Loud State Contest on March 9 at Salem Public Library. 

“Poetry Out Loud is a wonderful program that allows young people to connect with the human experience through the power of words,” First Lady Kotek Wilson added. “Congratulations to Katie Lineburg for representing Oregon in the national competition. We are all rooting for you!”

The poems Lineburg will perform for the national competition are "The Pulley" by George Herbert, "Beginning" by James Wright and “A Noiseless Spiker” by Walt Whitman.

Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation contest for high school students, organized in Oregon by the Oregon Arts Commission in collaboration with the NEA and the Poetry Foundation. Participants memorize and present poems, practicing public speaking skills while exploring the complexity of poetry.

See video of Lineburg performing and being announced as Oregon’s champion.

The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of Business Oregon (formerly Oregon Economic and Community Development Department) in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development. 

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust. More information about the Oregon Arts Commission is available online at:  www.oregonartscommission.org.

On Friday, April 19, at 4:11 p.m. Jefferson Fire District was dispatched to 15042 Jefferson-Highway 99E, Jefferson, Oregon.  This was a three-alarm fire.  Upon arrival the Incident Commander Louis Gisler reported there was a single-story house showing brown smoke.  The front window busted, and black smoke poured out of the window causing the fire to ramp up due to the ventilation from the widows.  The fire was contained to the property however an outbuilding did start to catch on fire along with the fence.  The firefighters were able to stop the fire on the outbuilding and fence. The house is at least 70 percent destroyed.  The owner and her dog were outside and safe. 

The owner was frying fish on the stove when she left the stove unattended.  She heard the smoke detector and quickly went to the kitchen where she saw the kitchen on fire.  She and her dog immediately ran out of the house and called 911. 

There were 12 firefighters from Jefferson along with Albany, Aumsville, Scio, Stayton, Sublimity and Turner who responded to the fire.  The fire was deemed under control at 5:26 p.m.  The firefighters continued to mop up for approximately and hour and half. There were no injuries.  The cause of the fire is due to the stove being left unattended where the grease had splattered and caused the fire. Jefferson Fire District would like to remind you please do not leave a stove unattended and check on a regular basis to make sure you have working smoke detectors.  Thank you to all those who responded to assist with this call.         

WHAT
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management is hosting its eighth annual Oregon Prepared Conference for 500 emergency management professionals this Tuesday through Thursday in Sunriver.

WHO
Oregon Department of Emergency Management Director Erin McMahon and Deputy Director Patence Winningham will be available for interviews about the state of emergency management in Oregon. Media may also visit a workshop session for B-roll footage.

WHEN
Media Avail from 9:45-10:15 a.m., Tuesday, April 23

WHERE
Great Hall Conference Center
Sunriver Lodge
57081 Great Hall Loop, Sunriver, Oregon

WHY
The annual conference serves as a vital gathering for emergency management professionals, providing a forum for stakeholders from various sectors to exchange ideas, discuss current trends, and share information about the latest tools and technology in emergency management and homeland security. Attendees include partners with a role in preparedness, response, recovery and resilience from tribes, counties, cities, special districts, state and federal emergency management agencies, public safety and health preparedness sectors, non-profit organizations, and private sector businesses.

OTHER INFORMATION
Website: Oregon Prepared Emergency Preparedness Workshop
Program: Oregon Prepared Emergency Preparedness Workshop Program

SOCIAL
@oregonOEM on Facebook, X and LinkedIn

ONSITE MEDIA CONTACT
Chris Crabb (she/her)
OEM Public Affairs Officer
971-719-0089 (talk or text)
Please text upon arrival

Douglas County, Ore. 19 Apr. 24- On Friday, April 19, 2024, at 7:58 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 5, near milepost 146, in Douglas County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a southbound Jaguar F-Pace, operated by Paul William Jordison (23) of Rochester (WA), veered off the right-hand shoulder of the roadway for unknown reasons. The Jaguar left the roadway, traveled airborne for approximately 100 feet down an embankment, and struck a tree approximately 15 feet above the ground level before falling to the base of the tree.

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

Before the crash, the Jaguar was reportedly driving at high speeds.

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

OSP was assisted by North Douglas County Fire and ODOT.

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About the Oregon State Police

Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.

Eugene, OR.  One person was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries following a single vehicle crash on River Rd near Horn Ln in Eugene Saturday afternoon.  Eugene Springfield Fire responded to the single vehicle rollover crash just before 5pm.  One occupant was assisted out of the vehicle prior to firefighters arrival. A Eugene Springfield Fire ambulance transported the occupant to an area hospital for evaluation. 

BOISE, Idaho — A change of command ceremony took place Saturday, April 20, for 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment at Orchard Combat Training Center in Idaho during the unit's one-weekend-a-month training duty.

Lt. Col. Jared Carpenter relinquished command to Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp in a traditional military ceremony presided over by Col. Peter Helzer, Commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

The 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, is headquartered in Southern Oregon and has over 150 years of service to the state, including deployments during World War II and recent mobilizations supporting the global war on terrorism.

"As someone who grew up in Southern Oregon, I am proud to have led a unit that has over 150 years of service to the state, including service in WWII and recent deployments in support of the global war on terrorism," said the outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Carpenter.

The incoming commander, Lt. Col. Rapp, emphasized the foundation of excellence in caring for soldiers and their families.

"In order for us to do anything to the best of our ability, we must first take care of ourselves, each other, and our families. That has to be the foundation of everything we do," Rapp said.

Col. Helzer praised the accomplishments of Lt. Col. Carpenter's tenure and expressed confidence in Lt. Col. Rapp's future leadership.

"The 1st of the 186th, the 'Guardians,' are a historical unit in Oregon. I'm incredibly proud of Lt. Col. Carpenter's work over the last two years, bringing us through COVID and transformation in preparing for large-scale mobilizations. I look forward to Lt. Col. Rapp's contributions and leadership as we move into the future, mobilizing parts across the Middle East and North Africa," Helzer said.

Lt. Col. Rapp will lead the Guardians, on a rotation deployment to the Sinai later this year. Lt. Col. Carpenter has been appointed to a leadership role in the Oregon National Guard's State Partnership Program working with partner nations Bangladesh and Vietnam.

                                                                                       -30-

Released Photos:

240420-Z-ZJ128-1001
Members of the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment stand in formation during the unit's change of command ceremony at Orchard Combat Training Center in Idaho on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp took command of the Southern Oregon-based battalion from Lt. Col. Jared Carpenter during the traditional military ceremony. 
(Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

240420-Z-ZJ128-1002
Lt. Col. Jared Carpenter stands at attention moments before relinquishing command during the change of command ceremony on April 20, 2024, at Orchard Combat Training Center in Idaho. Carpenter led the Southern Oregon-based battalion for two years before passing responsibility to Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp.
(Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

240420-Z-ZJ128-1003
Col. Peter Helzer, Commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, passes the guidon to Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp, incoming commander of the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, during a change of command ceremony Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Orchard Combat Training Center in Idaho. Rapp took command from Lt. Col. Jared Carpenter, who led the Southern Oregon-based battalion for the past two years. 
(Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

240420-Z-ZJ128-1004
Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Todd Plimpton presents a gift to Lt. Col. Jared Carpenter on behalf of the Guardian Regimental Association during the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment's change of command ceremony on April 20, 2024, at Orchard Combat Training Center. Plimpton honored Carpenter's "hard work and leadership" while commanding the Southern Oregon-based battalion for the past two years. 
(Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

Eugene, OR.  Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) responded to a house fire at the intersection of N. Game Farm Rd and Old Coburg Rd in East Eugene Saturday morning.  Arriving firefighters found smoke and fire from a boarded up and abandoned home. 

The home had recently been determined unsafe during an inspection by Deputy Fire Marshals from the ESF Community Risk Reduction & Resilience Division.  In 2023 ESF initiated a new program where vacant and abandoned buildings are inspected and ordered boarded up & secured.  During these inspections, properties are declared Safe with a large green S, Caution with a large orange C or Unsafe with a large red U placard on the building.  In addition to inspection reports being available to responding crews, dispatchers are able to notify firefighters upon dispatch to a hazardous occupancy. 

In this response firefighters were notified the property had been determined to be unsafe and they took necessary precautions in engaging the fire.  Crews extinguished the fire and determined there were no victims during a search of the home.  There were no injuries reported and the fire is under investigation.

IDLEYLD PARK, Ore. - The body of Rachel Merchant-Ly has been recovered from the North Umpqua River today. 

On April 19, 2024, Douglas County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue organized a large scale search in their ongoing efforts to locate 27-year-old Rachel Merchant-Ly of Idleyld Park. Merchant-Ly was reported missing on Thursday, February 29, 2024, when she didn't arrive at Glide Elementary School where she worked as a kindergarten teacher. Later that morning, a Douglas County Sheriff's deputy located signs of a motor vehicle crash near milepost 41 on Highway 138E.

On Friday, March 1, 2024, Merchant-Ly's vehicle was recovered from the North Umpqua River, but she was not found inside.

Since that time, searchers have conducted numerous searches by water, land, and air without success. 

On April 19, 2024, searchers from Douglas County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue, Jackson County Search and Rescue and Lane County Search and Rescue organized to conduct further searching. Volunteer rafting groups and community members also organized and were coordinating with the Sheriff's Office efforts. 

At approximately 9:30 a.m., a community member volunteer located a deceased body in the river approximately 7.5 miles downstream from the crash site. Deputies confirmed the presence of the body and began coordinating recovery efforts. The Douglas County Medical Examiner's Office responded and confirmed the body to be that of Rachel Merchant-Ly. 

“I cannot thank the dedicated deputies, SAR Volunteers, agency partners and community members who have not given up on finding Rachel," Sheriff John Hanlin said. “Commissioner Freeman and I have been in personal communication with Rachel's husband, mother, father and extended family. They are extremely thankful for the efforts of everyone involved.”

The Sheriff's Office was assisted throughout the investigation by Douglas County, Jackson County and Lane County Search and Rescue teams, the Oregon State Search and Rescue Coordinator, Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Transportation, Pacific Power, Weekly Brothers, North Umpqua Outfitters, Northwest Rafters Association, Douglas County Fire District #2 and all of the community members who volunteered their time.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 19, 2024

Notice of Virtual Meeting

Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC)

Behavioral Health and Housing Subcommittee

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

(Douglas County, OR) The next meeting for the Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council’s (LPSCC) – Behavioral Health and Housing Subcommittee will take place on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 11:30 am via a virtual conference format.

In compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to watch or listen to the meeting via video or by phone. For information on how you can watch or listen to this meeting, please see the agenda, or contact Koree Tate at ee.tate@douglascountyor.gov">koree.tate@douglascountyor.gov or call (541) 957-7790.

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

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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County 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

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

EUGENE, Ore. – A little over a year after being awarded the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) Program Development Grant, Bushnell University celebrates substantial progress made in fortifying its commitment to guiding students on the path of theological reflection and vocational calling.

Among the 18 universities and colleges awarded the NetVUE grant in March 2023, Bushnell is distinguished as the lone representation for the West Coast. The NetVUE program includes a nationwide network of 300 colleges and universities and is specifically designed to support and enrich vocational exploration and discernment among undergraduate students. It is administered by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), with guidance from an advisory council comprising representatives from participating institutions.

Notably, this marks the university's seventh collaboration with NetVUE, showcasing a longstanding commitment to fostering vocational calling and exploration. The NetVUE grant, awarded in March 2023 and providing vital financial support until 2025, has been instrumental in the establishment and growth of Bushnell University's Vocation Institute. Over the past year, this institute has spearheaded pivotal staff and faculty related initiatives, supported by the NetVUE grant, that have become integral to the comprehensive approach to vocational exploration within the university community, both for students and employees. Key components of these efforts include retreats, departmental gatherings, and the development of a vocational discernment orientation course for new staff and faculty members.

Reflecting on the progress made, Dr. Reed Mueller, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Bushnell, expressed optimism and gratitude. "Receiving our seventh NetVUE grant is both an honor and a responsibility. The work in developing the institute this past year has been a testament to the power of intentional vocational guidance. This NetVUE program development grant has allowed us to not only strengthen our existing initiatives but also to create a culture where our new employees are encouraged to engage in thoughtful theological reflections on their vocation and calling, leading to enhanced engagement with our students and their vocational exploration."

As the Vocation Institute continues to evolve, Bushnell University remains committed to providing students with a supportive environment that nurtures purpose and meaning in their academic and career journeys. For more information about NetVUE, please visit NetVUE’s official website.

About NetVue
The Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) is a nationwide network of 300 colleges and universities formed to support and enrich vocational exploration and discernment among undergraduate students. A program of the Council of Independent Colleges, NetVUE is supported by the generosity of Lilly Endowment Inc. and member dues. CIC administers NetVUE with guidance from an advisory council comprising representatives from participating institutions.

About Bushnell University
Founded in 1895 Bushnell University helps students discover and answer God’s call on their lives. Devoted to offering a Christ-centered environment, Bushnell encourages students to grow in wisdom, informed by faith, and leading to lives of service. Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the University was founded by pastor-educator Eugene C. Sanderson and pioneer businessman and church leader James A. Bushnell.

Bushnell is the largest private university in Eugene’s vibrant university district. The University offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees for undergraduate and graduate studies through course formats on campus, online, and hybrid formats. More information about the University is available at www.bushnell.edu.

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(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Caden R. Griffith, age 14, a child in foster care who went missing from Hillsboro on March 25. He is believed to be in danger.

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

Caden is often spends times in the parks of Hillsboro, Tigard and Aloha. 

Name: Caden R. Griffith
Pronouns: He/him
Date of birth: May 28, 2009
Height: 5-foot-6
Weight: 167 pounds
Hair: Brown
Eye color: Brown
Other identifying information: Caden often wears a black beanie. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie and black pants. 
Hillsboro Police Department #24-0007407
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #2018671

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

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

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The Oregon Secretary of State's Elections Division will be hosting a pre-election conference call for members of the media on Tuesday, April 23rd, at 1 p.m. PDT. This briefing aims to provide crucial updates and information regarding the upcoming May closed primary.

During the 30-minute session, Secretary of State Communications Director Laura Kerns and Elections Division Director Molly Woon will deliver important insights and updates pertinent to the forthcoming primary. Moreover, there will be an allocated time for a question-and-answer session, enabling media representatives to express their informational needs for accurate election reporting.

Details of the Briefing:

• What: Pre-election informational briefing for media members
• When: Tuesday, April 23rd, 1:00 p.m. PDT
• Where: Conference call

RSVP Information:

Media representatives interested in attending are kindly requested to RSVP by replying to Laura Kerns, Communications Director, Oregon Secretary of State, at (971) 707-0313 or via email at laura.kerns@sos.oregon.gov.

Your participation and engagement are invaluable as the Oregon Secretary of State strives to ensure accurate and informed reporting on the upcoming primary.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: April 19th, 2024

Released by: Sergeant Kent Vander Kamp 

Crescent Lake, OR – 

On April 18th, 2024, at approximately 10:00PM, the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team, in collaboration with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, concluded a long-term investigation with the arrest of Mario Michael Fivecoats, age 35, and Rebecca Ann Toepher, age 31, both of La Pine, Oregon. 

During the investigation, drug agents identified Mario Fivecoats as a fentanyl trafficker in the south Deschutes County, Oregon, area. The initial investigation alleges Mr. Fivecoats imports fentanyl pills from Portland into central Oregon, where he distributed them throughout the Deschutes County community. 

Following an overnight multi-county surveillance operation, CODE Detectives, with the assistance of the Oregon State Police, stopped Mario Fivecoats and his passenger, Rebecca Toepher, in the Klamath County community of Crescent Lake while he was driving a 2009 Honda Civic. The traffic stop was made on Highway 58 at the Crescent Lake Junction. Also inside the car was Ms. Toepher's 6-year-old son. 

During the stop, CODE Drug K9 “Bonnie” alerted to the presence of a controlled substance coming from within the Honda. Using the investigative information, detectives applied for, obtained, and executed a search warrant from the Klamath County Circuit Court. 

While executing the search warrant, CODE Detectives gathered and seized a commercial quantity of fake pharmaceutical tablets made of fentanyl along with methamphetamine from within the Honda. 

Drug agents contacted Oregon DHS - Child Welfare to assist with caring for Ms. Toephfer's 6-year-old. DHS was able to contact and later released the young boy to responsible relatives. 

A “commercial quantity” is defined by statute as five grams or more of a mixture of a detectable amount of fentanyl substance conta or any substituted derivative of fentanyl as defined by the rules of the Oregon Board of Pharmacy. This is not a separate criminal charge, but rather an increase in the sentencing guidelines. 

The greater Portland area is a central transshipment hub where illegal drugs coming from the southwest border are stored in local warehouses, storage units, and residential properties. Bulk shipments of drugs are usually broken down into smaller quantities and transported to other states or distributed to local dealers. The Portland area has an international airport, interstate highways, and bus and train lines that make it easy for shipments to be smuggled to other destinations around the Pacific Northwest.

Recently DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said, “Fentanyl is the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered.  Fentanyl is everywhere.  From large metropolitan areas to rural America, no community is safe from this poison. We must take every opportunity to spread the word to prevent fentanyl-related overdose death and poisonings from claiming scores of American lives every day.”    

Mr. Fivecoats and Ms. Toepher were lodged in the Klamath County Sheriff’s Jail with the following criminal charges.

Unlawful Possession and Attempted Distribution of a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) 

Unlawful Possession and Attempted Distribution of Methamphetamine (Felony)

Endangering the Welfare of a Minor

CODE Detectives were assisted by the US Drug Enforcement Administration, Oregon State Police, Oregon DHS - Child Welfare, and Klamath County 9-1-1. 

CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:   Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp, 541-550-4869 or kentv@deschutes.org 

The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and the following Central Oregon law enforcement agencies:  Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Police Department,  Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madras Police Department, Oregon State Police, Sunriver Police Department, Black Butte Police Department, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Warm Springs Tribal Police Department, Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County District Attorney’s, and the Oregon National Guard.

The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement task forces to disrupt or dismantle local, multi-state and international drug trafficking organizations.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

DATE: April 18, 2024

Motorcyclist dies in early evening collision

Salem, Ore. — At approximately 6:10 p.m. this evening, the Salem Police Traffic Team responded to a single-vehicle collision on the offramp of the Center Street Bridge involving a motorcyclist.

The Traffic Team’s preliminary investigation indicates the rider of the motorcycle was traveling eastbound over the bridge. As the motorcyclist negotiated the sweeping right curve to proceed down the off-ramp, he lost control of the motorcycle and collided with the concrete barrier. The impact vaulted the rider across the barrier and approximately 30 feet down to the ground below the bridge.

The driver is identified as 27-year-old Mark Steven Sewell of Salem. Sewell was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The southbound off-ramp to Front ST NE was closed for approximately two-and-a-half hours while the collision was investigated.

To date in 2024, the Salem Police Department has responded to nine major traffic collisions resulting in nine deaths.

# # #

At 1222 hrs on Thursday afternoon Douglas County Fire District No.2 and Winston-Dillard Fire District were dispatched to a reported structure fire on Carroll Street in Winston. The first fire crew to arrive on the scene took quick action to ensure that all of the occupants were out of the residence. 

Fire crews were able to stop the spread of the fire in a timely fashion with the use of a single hose line.  Unfortunately, the contents of the house suffered significant damage.

DCFD2 and WDFD responded to this incident with 2 fire engines, 1 ambulance and 2 command units with a total of 13 personnel. Crews were unable to determine a cause of the fire. Crews were assisted by Winston PD, Avista Gas, PP&L and Umpqua Valley Ambulance. 

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