CORVALLIS, Ore. – A 51-year-old man, Romail Dontail Allen of Albany, died Sunday after drowning in the Willamette River near Crystal Lake.

At about 11:50 a.m. on July 19, emergency responders received a report of a person in the water near river mile 133. A witness attempted to rescue Allen and reported at about 11:59 a.m. that he appeared to be deceased. Another witness said Allen was not wearing a life jacket.

Benton County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol deputies were on duty but were operating downriver near the Polk County line when the call came in. Corvallis Fire Department personnel arrived first and reached the area by raft.

Corvallis Fire personnel recovered Allen from the river at about 12:22 p.m. The recovery occurred upriver from Michael’s Landing. Fire personnel began resuscitation efforts immediately and continued them while transporting Allen to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

The Sheriff’s Office reminds the public to wear a properly fitted life jacket when recreating in or near the water. Conditions can change quickly, and even experienced swimmers can become overwhelmed.

Life jackets are available for free public use at stations in Benton County parks near the Willamette River. Visitors are encouraged to borrow a life jacket and return it after use so it remains available for others.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Corvallis Fire Department for its rapid response and lifesaving efforts, the Corvallis Regional Communications Center for coordinating the emergency response, and the witness who attempted to rescue Allen.

If you have further information regarding the drowning, please contact Deputy Brigg Savage at entonCoSheriff@bentoncountyor.gov">BentonCoSheriff@bentoncountyor.gov.

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07/22/2026 4:00 p.m.

Media Contact:

Lieutenant Gabe Sapp, Corvallis Police Department

(541) 766-6924 / cpdpio@corvallisoregon.gov

Corvallis Police and Oregon DOJ Conduct Joint Investigation at Local Spa

On July 22, 2026, investigators from the Corvallis Police Department and the Oregon Department of Justice (ODOJ) executed a search warrant at the Spring Foot Spa located at 505 NW Harrison Blvd.

The investigation started after concerned community members reported illicit activities at the business and that the business was operating without a license. Investigators arrested a 52-year-old female, New York resident for Practicing Massage Without a License (a class A misdemeanor). Investigators collected evidence that included condoms, cash, credit card statements, and bank statements that were consistent with prostitution.

The female was connected with support services as a victim of human trafficking.

TILLER, Ore. - Effective at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, the previously issued Level 1 - "BE READY" evacuation notices for residents in Douglas County due to the East Evans Creek Fire have been canceled.

The affected areas include Tiller Trail Highway from mileposts 38-41 to the Douglas/Jackson County line, and the area west from Wildcat Ridge to the County line on the east (Zones DOU-1012 and DOU-1015) .

There are currently no evacuation notices in effect for Douglas County residents impacted by the East Evans Creek fire or any other incident in Douglas County.

This is the final update from the Douglas Sheriff's Office regarding this incident. 

Evacuation notices remain in effect in JACKSON COUNTY and residents in that area should remain alert and continue to follow directions from Jackson County officials.

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DIAMOND LAKE, Ore. - On Saturday, July 18, 2026, at approximately 2:17 p.m., the Douglas County Sheriff's Office responded to Diamond Lake following a report of a person who had fallen overboard from a pontoon boat and disappeared beneath the water. 

The victim was identified as 71-year-old William Harry Bailey of Bethalto, Illinois, who was at Diamond Lake with family members for a reunion. Earlier in the day, the family rented a pontoon boat to spend time on the lake. 

Deputies learned that Bailey and his sister moved to the bow of the pontoon boat to take a photograh. As they stood at the front of the boat, the bow dipped into the water, causing the stern to rise. Both Bailey and his ster lost their balance and fell into the lake. 

Witnesses report Bailey pushed his sister out of the way to prevent her from falling in front of the boat. In doing so, Bailey fell directly in front of the moving pontoon, which passed over him. Bailey briefly resurfaced before going back underwater. 

Family members immediately began searching for Bailey and called 911. Deputies, fire personnel and other emergency responders searched the area of the last known point he was seen but were unable to immediately locate him. 

Divers from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office responded and were able to locate and recover Bailey's body from the lake. The Douglas County Medical Examiner's Office was notified. 

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office extends its deepest condolences to Mr. Bailey's family and friends during this difficult time. 

Assisting agencies included Diamond Lake Resort, Central Douglas Fire & Rescue, Oregon State Police, Umpqua Valley Ambulance, REACH Air Medical Services and the Oregon State Marine Board. 

TOKETEE, Ore. – On Friday, July 17, 2026, around 10:30 a.m., 9-1-1 dispatchers received a report of a medical aid at Toketee Falls after an individual had jumped into the water and injured himself.

Rescuers from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Glide Rural Fire Protection District, Central Douglas Fire & Rescue and Umpqua Valley Ambulance responded to the scene.

It was determined that 20-year-old Angel Antonio Ceja of Oahu Hawaii had been on a road trip with a friend and had been visiting locations where he could cliff jump while recording videos to post online. After watching numerous videos of others successfully jumping from a large log suspended approximately 60 feet above the North Umpqua River, about 200 feet upstream of Toketee Falls, Ceja decided to make the jump.

When Ceja entered the water following his jump, he dislocated his right shoulder. Although he was able to pull himself from the river onto a partially submerged log and then onto a small rock shelf, he was unable to climb back to the trail.

Rescuers deployed a steep-angle rescue rope system to safely raise Ceja in a rescue litter from the gorge. Once to the trail, Ceja was able to walk the remainder of the trail to a waiting ambulance. He was transported to Mercy Medical Center for treatment.

ROSEBURG, Ore. – The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal single-vehicle motorcycle crash that occurred on Roberts Creek Road in the Green District.

On Thursday, July 16, 2026, at approximately 6:00 p.m., deputies received a report from a woman who reported her son, 24-year-old Jarod Michael Whitlock of Roseburg, missing after he failed to report to work for two days.

During the investigation into Whitlock’s whereabouts, deputies located Whitlock deceased in the 8700-block of Roberts Creek Road shortly after 8:00 p.m.

The investigation determined Whitlock had been operating a 2025 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle eastbound on Roberts Creek Road after traveling from Gateway Road. Evidence at the scene indicates the motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed when it left the roadway traveling approximately 50 yards from the roadway.

Whitlock was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences to Jarod’s family and friends during this time.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by Central Douglas Fire and Rescue.

ROSEBURG, Ore. - On Thursday, July 9, 2026, at approximately 12:24 p.m., deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported water rescue at Amacher Park in Winchester. 

The preliminary investigation determined that 64-year-old Charles Robert Jensen of Roseburg and a friend were kayaking on the North Umpqua River from Amacher Park to Hestness Landing when Jensen's kayak overturned in the first rapid. Jensen went under and briefly resurfaced before going back underwater. 

Jensen's friend was able to pull Jensen from the water onto nearby rocks and immediately began CPR. It was believed Jensen was submerged for approximately one minute. 

Fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene and continued lifesaving efforts; however, Jensen could not be revived and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Douglas County Medical Examiner's Office responded and assumed responsibility for the death investigation. 

Next of kin has been notified and the victim's name is now being released. 

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office extends its condolences to Mr. Jensen's family and friends. 

Assisting agencies included Central Douglas Fire & Rescue and Oregon State Police. 

Detectives Investigating Rural Central Point Homicide; Suspect in Custody

JCSO Case 26-3616

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. - Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred in a rural Central Point residence. The suspect is in custody.

On Wednesday, July 15, at 4:05 AM, Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO) dispatchers received a call of gunshots heard near the 6000 block of Kershaw Road. JCSO deputies responded and found a man deceased from an apparent gunshot wound inside the residence.

Next-of-kin has been notified. The victim is Juan Carlos Ramirez-Arango, 62, of Central Point. JCSO sends our deepest sympathies to Ranirez-Arango’s family and all those affected during this time. 

Evidence collected during the investigation led to the arrest of Pamela Sue Maya, 67, of Central Point. She was in a relationship with the victim. Maya has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held in the Jackson County Jail. 

Ashland Police Department and Jackson County District Attorney's Office responded to assist. The Oregon State Police Forensics Lab processed the crime scene. There is no further information available for release at this time.

On March 13, 2026, Richard Brotherton, age 63 of Amity, was arrested after initiating a sexually graphic conversation with an undercover officer posing as a minor. Brotherton was arrested and booked into the Lincoln County Jail for Luring a Minor. Deputy District Attorney Madeleine Boyle, of the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, argued the case on behalf of the State.

On July 1, 2026, following testimony by the Lincoln City Police Department, a Lincoln County Jury found Richard Brotherton GUILTY of Luring a Minor. On July 16, 2026, Brotherton was sentenced to the Oregon Department of Corrections for a term of 28 months.

The Lincoln City Police Department is releasing Brotherton’s photo in an attempt to locate additional possible victims. If you recognize Brotherton and would like to speak with an investigator, please contact the LCPD or your local law enforcement agency.

The Lincoln City Police Department encourages parents to monitor their children's social media activity and discuss with them the possible dangers of communicating with strangers online. These investigations are conducted in a continuing effort to protect our children from predators who target children for sexual exploitation and to reduce crime and further enhance the safety of our community.

The Lincoln City Police Department has been made aware of an online conspiracy to dox, harass, and commit violence against a local man regarding perceived crimes against an animal and perceived law enforcement inaction. The Lincoln City Police Department takes great pride in its history of thorough and professional investigations and every member here is an animal lover. We also place great value on the U.S. Constitution which we have sworn to uphold.  Under the American system of laws citizens are free from arrest without Probable Cause. It is one of our highest values and sets our nation apart from others.

The Lincoln City Police Department contracts Animal Services through the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and coordinates efforts to investigate crimes against animals with that agency. LCSO employs sworn Deputies with expertise in investigations into animal care. Over the last 9 months LCPD has received 21 complaints regarding that one individual related to animal care. The majority of those were second-hand complaints from those who watched online videos provided to them. Of the remaining, many were from the same callers, some with personal vendettas against the dog-owner unrelated to his animal. Throughout this period the Lincoln City Police Department has physically evaluated the dog in question 5 times, each time finding the dog to be uninjured. 3 times LCPD had referred the issue to the Animal Services Deputies. Our records show the Animal Services Deputies have conducted 6 of their own investigations. As of yet, none of these investigations, from at least 12 different trained Law Enforcement Officers, from two separate agencies, has developed Probable Cause that a crime has been committed.

In today’s age it is easy to become spun up over social media hype and fall in line with others who may have ulterior motives. We urge our fellow citizens to think critically but absolutely support the right of Americans to seek change, peacefully protest, and live with the peace of mind that mob-rule does not govern our Community. If you do not agree with a law, work to change it. If you think some profession should require licensure, talk to your elected representative. Most of all, treat each other civilly.

Lastly, let it be known, those who engage in conspiracy to commit violence in our Community, can all be charged for that violence. We will not tolerate acts of violence.

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE AWARDED HIGH-WATER RESCUE VEHICLE THROUGH OREGON SPIRE GRANT

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded a new high‑water rescue vehicle funded through the Oregon State Preparedness Infrastructure Resource Equipment (SPIRE) grant program. This specialized vehicle enhances emergency responders’ ability to respond to flooding, severe weather, and other emergencies.

Designed for challenging environments, this vehicle can safely access areas impacted by high water or debris. It is equipped with a custom 17-foot aluminum rescue body, integrated stairs, and a deep-water fording kit capable of navigating up to 50 inches of water. “This vehicle significantly expands our ability to reach community members during floods, storms, and other emergencies.” said Lincoln County Sheriff Adam Shanks.

In addition to navigating challenging environments, this vehicle is equipped with a lift gate for moving medical equipment, evacuees, and supplies. The interior accommodates approximately 25 passengers, including versatile fold‑down seating and wheelchair accessibility, providing critical capacity during evacuation operations.

The Oregon SPIRE program supports local jurisdictions by providing essential response equipment to improve resilience and collaborative emergency response capabilities statewide. “Our communities have unique needs and challenges before, during, and after disasters. This funding helps increase capacity for first responders throughout Lincoln County, not only the Sheriff’s Office.” Sheriff Shanks continued. The addition of this high-water rescue vehicle will enhance coordination with local fire departments, emergency management agencies, and regional partners during disaster operations. Although this grant was originally applied for and awarded in 2022, it was delayed due to supply-chain disruptions following COVID-19.

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Lincoln County, — July 20, 2026 — This morning, the Lincoln County Fire Defense Board fulfilled a resource request from the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office by mobilizing Task Force 22 in support of the Brewer Fire, located approximately 11.5 miles East of Madras in Crook and Jefferson Counties, in Central Oregon.

Task Force #22 is comprised of units from Columbia, Lincoln, Linn & Tillamook Counties with the following resources. Including one Engine Boss from Newport Fire Department.

North Lincoln Fire (Lincoln Co.) - B12 (Type 6 Engine)
Yachats Fire (Lincoln Co.) - B82 (Type 6 Engine)

Nestucca Fire (Tillamook Co.) - B87 (Type 6 Engine)
Vernonia Fire (Columbia Co.) - HB451 (Type 3 Engine)
Albany Fire (Linn Co.) - WT15 (Water Tender)
North Lincoln Fire (Lincoln Co.) - C-1 (Task Force Leader)

The deployment is being led by Task Force Leader Rob Dahlman of North Lincoln Fire Rescue.

Task Force 22 departed Lincoln County this morning at 11:00 a.m. and is en route to the staging area in Prineville, Oregon. The team is expected to arrive at approximately 5:00 p.m. and will be assigned to operational duties immediately upon arrival.

The Brewer Fire started July 15, 2026, and is one of many wildfires burning in Oregon. The fire is currently estimated to be 24,480 acres with structures threatened. Firefighters will continue to encounter challenging conditions with increased temperatures and a potential for thunderstorms in the forecast this week. This deployment may last up to 14 days, depending on fire activity and operational needs.

Task Force 22 represents the third deployment of resources requested by the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) from Lincoln County fire agencies. These firefighters and apparatus have joined the statewide response to help protect lives, property, and natural resources as wildfire activity continues to increase across Oregon.

As our firefighters continue to engage in the fire fight across Oregon, the Lincoln County Fire Defense Board extends its sincere appreciation to the firefighters and agencies that stepped forward to support this statewide response. Their commitment to protecting communities beyond their own demonstrates the strength of Oregon's fire service and the longstanding tradition of agencies helping one another when the need is greatest.

As wildfire conditions continue to intensify across Oregon, we encourage everyone to do their part to prevent additional fires. Be mindful when operating equipment that can generate heat or sparks, especially during the warmest and driest parts of the day. Ensure campfires are completely extinguished where they are allowed, and never dispose of cigarettes or other smoking materials from vehicles or onto the ground.

The Fire Defense Board also reminds the public that outdoor debris burning remains prohibited throughout Lincoln County. These restrictions are essential to reducing the risk of preventable wildfires during this period of elevated fire danger.

Our firefighters are proud to answer the call wherever they are needed, but wildfire prevention begins at home. Every responsible action taken by residents and visitors helps protect our communities, our natural resources, and the firefighters working tirelessly across the state.

We ask you to keep the individuals and families impacted by these fires, along with the firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, and all incident support staff working under challenging conditions, in your thoughts as suppression efforts continue.

For more information, please contact:
• Depoe Bay Fire District Fire Chief Tom Jackson
• Phone: (541) 992--6131
• Email: tjackson@depoebayfire.com

Lincoln County, — July 16, 2026 — This morning, the Lincoln County Fire Defense Board fulfilled a resource request from the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office by mobilizing Strike Team 7 in support of the East Evans Creek Road Fire, located approximately 14 miles northeast of Rogue River in Jackson County, Oregon.

Strike Team #7 is comprised of units from Lincoln, Linn & Tillamook Counties with the following resources. The deployment is being led by Strike Team Leader Mark Bernt of the City of Albany Fire Department. 

Strike Team 7 departed Lincoln County this morning at 08:00 a.m. and is en route to the staging area in Medford, Oregon. The team is expected to arrive at approximately 17:30 p.m. and will be assigned to operational duties immediately upon arrival.

The East Evans Creek Road Fire experienced rapid growth following its start on Friday, July 10, 2026. This fire has seen significant growth in the last 6 days, requiring additional resources. The fire is currently estimated to have burned 11,551 acres. Firefighters will continue to encounter challenging conditions as suppression efforts continue. This deployment may last up to 14 days, depending on fire activity and operational needs.

Strike Team 7 represents the second deployment of resources requested by the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) from Lincoln County fire agencies, this week, to assist with suppression efforts on the East Evans Creek Road Fire. These firefighters and apparatus have joined the statewide response to help protect lives, property, and natural resources as wildfire activity continues to increase across Oregon.

On behalf of the Lincoln County Fire Defense Board, I would like to thank the firefighters and agencies who answered the call to assist our fellow Oregonians during this significant wildfire incident. Their willingness to serve reflects the professionalism, dedication, and strong mutual aid partnerships that exist throughout our state.

With wildfire activity increasing across the state, we ask everyone to be vigilant and exercise due diligence with any activity that could spark a fire. Avoid using equipment that may create sparks during the hottest parts of the day, properly extinguish campfires where permitted, and never discard smoking materials on the ground or from a vehicle.

We also want to remind all residents that a debris burning ban remains in effect. These restrictions are in place to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire during periods of elevated fire danger.

We appreciate the continued support of our community as our personnel assist in protecting Oregonians statewide. By working together and following current fire restrictions, we can help reduce the risk of additional wildfires and keep our communities safe.

Please keep the residents affected by this fire, along with all emergency responders working to protect lives and property, in your thoughts during this critical time.

Submitted by Lincoln County Fire Defense Board Chair, Chief Tom Jackson

SUMMER CRIME PREVENTION TIPS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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On July 22, 2026 at approximately 1:42 AM, the Roseburg Police Department and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 200 block of SE Pine Street, an area referred to as “The Point,” regarding a reported stabbing. When Law Enforcement arrived, they found 40-year-old Patrick Shane Belleci bleeding profusely from a severe stab wound.  Belleci was transported to Mercy Medical Center by Umpqua Valley Ambulance, where he was declared deceased. 

The Douglas County Major Crimes Team was activated.

30-year-old Tyler Loyd Whitehead was developed as a suspect in this case; he fled the scene but turned himself in to Law Enforcement in the area of Winchester and Nash St. in Roseburg.   Whitehead was arrested and lodged at the Douglas County Jail for Murder 2 and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

The Roseburg Police Department would like to thank the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, Roseburg Fire Department and Umpqua Valley Ambulance for their assistance.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details are being released at this time.

UPDATE: 

The decedent in this case has been identified as China Anna-Marie Fields (36) of Winston.

On Saturday, July 18, 2026, at approximately 11:42 p.m., Officers from the Roseburg Police Department, along with fire and emergency medical personnel, responded to a report of a vehicle versus pedestrian collision on Diamond Lake Boulevard east of NE Pomona Street.

Shortly before the collision, Law Enforcement had received reports of a female wearing dark clothing in the median of Diamond Lake Boulevard, waving her arms and reportedly jumping into traffic in front of passing vehicles.

The preliminary investigation indicates that a white Jeep Cherokee, operated by Ryan Mays Jr., 19, was traveling westbound in the inside lane of Diamond Lake Boulevard when his vehicle struck the female.

The female was pronounced deceased at the scene. Her identity is being withheld pending confirmation and notification of next of kin.

Mays was not injured and is cooperating with the investigation. Based on the preliminary investigation, the incident does not appear to be criminal in nature. The investigation remains ongoing.

The Roseburg Police Department was assisted by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police, Roseburg Fire Department, and Umpqua Valley Ambulance.

PORTLAND, Ore. (July 20, 2026) ~ Oregon is seeing some of its most active wildfire conditions of the summer after lightning sparked dozens of fires across Central Oregon, prompting evacuations and sending smoke into parts of the state. At the same time, Portland is entering a stretch of hot weather with temperatures expected to climb into the 90s, creating a one-two punch of wildfire smoke and extreme heat that can pose serious health risks, especially for children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with heart or lung conditions.

As smoke and heat intensify, Kaiser Permanente Northwest is offering interviews with Dr. Anne Toledo, family physician and former chief of urgent care, to discuss how Oregonians can protect themselves and their families. Smoke exposure can irritate the lungs, worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions, and increase cardiovascular stress. Extreme heat can compound those impacts by increasing dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke risk.

"Wildfire smoke and extreme heat can each affect our health, but together they can be especially challenging for vulnerable people," said Dr. Toledo. "The best approach is to prepare early, pay close attention to air quality and temperature forecasts, and take steps to limit exposure before symptoms develop."

Interviews available:

Dr. Anne Toledo, family physician and former chief of urgent care for Kaiser Permanente Northwest, is available for interviews via Zoom on Tuesday, July 21 from 10-10:30 a.m. or 3:30-4:30 p.m. Contact en.a.vitt@kp.org">Karen Vitt to schedule.

Dr. Toledo is prepared to discuss:

• How wildfire smoke affects the lungs, heart, and overall health
• Who is most vulnerable to smoke-related illness and heat-related illness
• Warning signs that smoke exposure or heat stress may require medical attention
• How to create cleaner indoor air at home during smoky conditions
• The role of N95 masks and other protective measures when outdoor air quality is poor
• How heat can worsen the health impacts of wildfire smoke
• Ways to stay active and safe when air quality is unhealthy and temperatures are high
• Tips for protecting children, older adults, outdoor workers, and people with asthma, COPD, or heart disease
• When to seek urgent or emergency care for breathing difficulties, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke
• Practical steps families can take now to prepare for wildfire season and extreme heat events

About Kaiser Permanente 

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

GRANTS PASS, Ore. – The battalion commander welcoming employers to the Grants Pass armory July 11 wasn't just speaking on behalf of his Soldiers. He was speaking as an employee himself.

"From the perspective of someone who's done this for 26 years as a traditional Soldier and a civilian employee, I want you to know that support means more to me and to us than you can know," said Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp, commander of 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, who works as a project manager for Knife River in his civilian career. "I couldn't have done it without Knife River, my employer. I probably would have gotten out a long time ago."

Representatives of Knife River were among roughly 20 civilian employers who participated in the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss Lift, which paired an armory tour and static displays with a CH-47 Chinook helicopter flight over southern Oregon and Upper Klamath Lake. Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment, based in Pendleton, Oregon, provided the aircraft and crew.

The event was hosted by Oregon ESGR's Area Four, which covers southern Oregon from Roseburg to the California border and west to the coast. Rather than filling seats first come, first served, organizers this year invited employers with a track record of supporting their Guard and Reserve employees.

"We went back and looked at our records for the last two and a half years and determined who were distinguished employers," said Richard Thibodo, ESGR Area Four chair. "All of you have either received a Patriot Award or are about to receive one."

Among them was Mercy Flights, the Medford-based ambulance service, which employs several Oregon National Guard members, including Soldiers who recently returned from an overseas deployment with 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment.

"They're leaders in our organization," said Sheila Clough, chief executive officer of Mercy Flights. "They show up. They're committed. Diligence, professionalism. I'll take as many Guardsmen as I can get on our team. They're incredible representatives."

Midway through the flight, the aircraft also hosted a milestone: Capt. Nolan Chandler reenlisted Spc. Daniel Pappalardo, both assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, high above the southern Oregon landscape.

Employers were invited to sign ESGR Statements of Support, pledging their commitment to the service of their Guard and Reserve employees.

"This gives you a little bit of a glimpse into what your employees do," Rapp said. "It's just a small part, but a little glimpse into what they do when they come to training and when called to serve the state and country."

Released B-Roll Video: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/1015789/boss-lift-gives-southern-oregon-employers-look-guard-service

Released Photos: 

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GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp, commander of 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, who works as a project manager for Knife River in his civilian career, welcomes civilian employers during an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss Lift at the Grants Pass armory in Grants Pass, Ore., July 11, 2026. Representatives of Knife River were among the employers attending the event, which gave employers of Oregon National Guard members assigned to 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 173rd Fighter Wing a firsthand look at their employees' military service, including a CH-47 Chinook flight over southern Oregon. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

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GRANTS PASS, Ore. – A crew chief assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment, conducts post-landing checks on a CH-47 Chinook helicopter after arriving at the Grants Pass Airport, adjacent to the Grants Pass armory, in support of an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss Lift in Grants Pass, Ore., July 11, 2026. The Pendleton, Oregon-based aviation unit provided the aircraft and crew for the event, which gave employers of Oregon National Guard members assigned to 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 173rd Fighter Wing a firsthand look at their employees' military service. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

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GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Civilian employers and their Oregon National Guard member employees sit aboard a CH-47 Chinook helicopter prior to takeoff during an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss Lift at the Grants Pass Airport in Grants Pass, Ore., July 11, 2026. The event gave employers of Oregon National Guard members assigned to 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 173rd Fighter Wing a firsthand look at their employees' military service, including a flight over southern Oregon and Upper Klamath Lake. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

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GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Capt. Nolan Chandler congratulates Spc. Daniel Pappalardo, both assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, following Pappalardo's in-flight reenlistment aboard a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss Lift over southern Oregon, July 11, 2026. The event gave employers of Oregon National Guard members assigned to 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 173rd Fighter Wing a firsthand look at their employees' military service. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

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Staff Sgt. Joshua Murdenline, assigned to 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, explains the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) mounted with an M2 .50-caliber machine gun to Benjamin Busey, deputy associate director of patient care services for VA Southern Oregon health care, during a static display at an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss Lift at the Grants Pass armory in Grants Pass, Ore., July 11, 2026. The event gave employers of Oregon National Guard members assigned to 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 173rd Fighter Wing a firsthand look at their employees' military service. (Oregon National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne)

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GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Civilian employers and their Oregon National Guard member employees line up alongside a CH-47 Chinook helicopter following a safety brief and prior to boarding during an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss Lift at the Grants Pass Airport in Grants Pass, Ore., July 11, 2026. The event gave employers of Oregon National Guard members assigned to 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 173rd Fighter Wing a firsthand look at their employees' military service, including a flight over southern Oregon and Upper Klamath Lake. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

NAJAF TRAINING CENTER, Ore. — The elk found it first. Bedding down beneath the hazel trees on a wooded hillside here, the animals churned up ground that had rested undisturbed for generations, and when Oregon State University archaeologists walked the site, stone flakes left by Indigenous toolmakers were lying exposed in the elk beds.

"We knew that there had been sites recorded from the '90s, but nothing was recorded down in here," said Andrew Pauly, a second-year master's student in archaeology at Oregon State University helping teach the field school. "We got here, and there's a rodent burrow with a flake in it. We found dozens of flakes in the elk beds. They really did us a favor."

That chance discovery is now one of the focal points of a new archaeology field school underway at Najaf Training Center, a roughly 527-acre military training area about 10 miles north of Corvallis, Oregon. The four-week intensive course, offered through a three-year intergovernmental agreement between the Oregon Military Department and Oregon State University, brings undergraduate and graduate students onto the land to learn professional archaeological methods while helping the department meet its federal cultural resources responsibilities.

On July 14, 2026, students spread across the hillside were excavating test units, screening soil and documenting artifacts on ground that has proven far richer than anyone anticipated.

"We're finding cultural materials in places that aren't sites, and as we're trying to further expand the site boundaries, it just keeps going," said Dr. Molly Carney, an assistant professor of anthropology at Oregon State University and the field school's instructor. "We can't really find the ends. The entire hillside is probably a cultural place."

The property, which is federal land managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and licensed to the Oregon Military Department for military training, was first surveyed in the 1990s, when archaeologists identified 10 sites across the wooded hillside. The area holds what Carney described as a multi-component site, containing both pre-contact Indigenous materials and the historic homestead of Greenberry Smith, an early settler who claimed land there. In the field school's first month, students have recovered roughly a dozen projectile points along with ground stone tools, stone flakes and historic-era glass and ceramics.

The work directly supports the Oregon Military Department's obligations under federal historic preservation law. The department needs to thin the forest and clear invasive vegetation to make the terrain more usable for Soldier training, and before that can happen, it must determine whether the archaeological sites are significant and how they might be affected.

"Part of our federal responsibility is to determine, are these sites important, and if they are, are our actions going to impact them? And if they are going to be impacted, how do we mitigate that effect?" said Matt Diederich, environmental branch chief for the Oregon Military Department. "It all stems to forest management. That's the goal, to better manage the forest here."

Joshua Henderson, cultural resources manager for the Oregon Military Department, said the findings will eventually be evaluated for eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places, in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office and the appropriate Tribes.

That consultation runs throughout the project. The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, along with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, maintain ancestral connections to the Willamette Valley. Grand Ronde representatives have visited the field school weekly to share their perspective with students, including their preference for the term "belongings" rather than "artifacts" when describing recovered items.

"This isn't just a data point," said Michael Lewis, senior archaeologist for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. "This is a place on a cultural landscape with memory, continuing practice on the landscape, and a connection to the past."

For Carney, that spirit of partnership defines the field school. During a recent week of geophysical survey training, she looked around at lunch and saw agency archaeologists, private-sector archaeologists, Tribal specialists and academics all working side by side.

"That's really what the field school is all about," she said. "It's about collaboration, about moving into the future while also thinking about the past, and training folks to explore different career opportunities related to cultural resource management or heritage more broadly."

For at least one student, the setting carries a personal connection. Nathan McCaslin, an undergraduate archaeology student, previously served in the Oregon Army National Guard, where he supported training operations across the state. His interest in the field was sparked in part by the cultural resources at Biak Training Center in Central Oregon, where remnants of World War II-era training still rest on the surface of the high desert landscape. He used military education benefits to pursue his degree.

"I think there's a lot of work out there to maintain the memory of those things," McCaslin said, "because we might not have them in the future."

The field school continues through the summer, with additional seasons planned in different portions of the hillside over the next two years. Wherever the students dig next, the ground beneath Najaf Training Center seems ready to keep offering up its history, with or without the elk's help.

Released B-Roll Video: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/1015015/oregon-military-department-osu-partnership-turns-training-site-into-archaeology-classroom

Released Photos: 

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Oregon State University archaeology student Rebecca Chastain, left, brushes soil from a test unit as fellow student Caden Gonzales records field notes during the OSU Archaeology Field School at Najaf Training Center, Ore., July 14, 2026. The four-week field school, offered through a three-year intergovernmental agreement between the Oregon Military Department and OSU, trains students in professional archaeological methods while supporting the department's cultural resources responsibilities ahead of planned forest management. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

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Oregon State University archaeology student Nathan McCaslin, a former Oregon Army National Guard Soldier, screens excavated soil for cultural materials during the OSU Archaeology Field School at Najaf Training Center, Ore., July 14, 2026. Students use wood-framed screens to sift soil from test units, recovering stone flakes, tools and historic-era items too small to spot during excavation. The four-week field school, offered through a three-year intergovernmental agreement between the Oregon Military Department and OSU, trains students in professional archaeological methods while supporting the department's cultural resources responsibilities ahead of planned forest management. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

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Oregon State University Archaeology Field School students document a test unit as Andrew Pauly, standing, a graduate teaching assistant, photographs the excavation at Najaf Training Center, Ore., July 14, 2026. Students initially discovered the site while conducting a pedestrian survey of the area, spotting dozens of stone flakes exposed in nearby elk bedding areas. The four-week field school, offered through a three-year intergovernmental agreement between the Oregon Military Department and OSU, trains students in professional archaeological methods while supporting the department's cultural resources responsibilities ahead of planned forest management. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

PORTLAND, Ore. – Statewide fire restrictions remain in effect for all Bureau of Land Management public lands throughout Oregon and Washington, and many local regions have additional restrictions in place. BLM leaders encourage all visitors to be aware of all active restrictions and closures as warmer weather continues across the Pacific Northwest.

As the region faces heightened fire danger, emergency managers are leveraging advanced ALERTWest AI-powered camera networks to detect new smoke ignitions in real time. These public-facing cameras scan regional landscapes using artificial intelligence to spot visual anomalies, allowing both emergency crews and community members to monitor active fire behavior and smoke plumes in real time.

“Technology is helping us detect fires sooner than ever before, but preventing human-caused fires still depends on the public,” said Josh O’Connor, Northwest Geographic Area Fire Chief for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. “Following local restrictions remains one of the most effective ways people can protect their communities and public lands.”

Restrictions vary based on local fire danger, weather conditions and fuel moisture. Visitors must continue to research their destinations in advance, as local restrictions govern when visitors can use power tools, what kinds of stoves or campfires are allowed, and what type of safety equipment to have on hand. The following items remain strictly prohibited on all BLM lands in Oregon and Washington:

• Fireworks and sky lanterns
• Exploding or metallic targets
• Tracer or incendiary devices
• Steel component ammunition (core or jacket)

“Our communities and public lands are much safer when we work together,” said Kim Prill, BLM Oregon/Washington Acting State Director. “Please continue to monitor local restrictions and take every precaution to prevent human-caused wildfires as we approach the peak of fire season in the Pacific Northwest.”

Officials warn that individuals responsible for starting wildfires face up to $100,000 in fines, 12 months in prison, and liability for all firefighting suppression costs.

For more information on seasonal fire restrictions and fire closures, please see www.blm.gov/orwafire.

-BLM-

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

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service conducts operations in close coordination with the Bureau of Land Management. As a unified federal entity under the Department of the Interior, the USWFS integrates expertise to streamline wildfire prevention, response and recovery under our shared mission to foster fire-resilient landscapes and safeguard communities across America’s public lands.

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) will host its annual Veteran Benefit Expo, Oregon’s largest statewide veteran resource event, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at Douglas Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Roseburg.

Presented by the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the Veteran Benefit Expo brings together dozens of federal, state, county, Tribal, nonprofit, educational and community organizations to connect veterans, service members and their families with the benefits, services and opportunities they have earned through their service.

Participating organizations, service providers and veteran benefit and resource experts will be on hand to provide information and direct assistance across a wide range of topics, including VA health care, disability claims, housing, employment, education, long-term care, mental health, recreation, emergency assistance and more. The event will also feature a dedicated Veterans Job Fair connecting attendees with employers and workforce development partners.

“Our Veteran Benefit Expo is designed to be the one-stop shop for all veteran-related benefits and services,” said Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels, director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “Whether someone recently left military service or served decades ago, we want every veteran and family member who walks through our doors to leave with awareness of veteran benefits they have earned, the resources available in their local communities, new opportunities and the knowledge that they are not alone.”

The Expo is free and open to the public.

Since its launch in 2015, the Veteran Benefit Expo has grown into ODVA’s signature outreach event, traveling to communities across Oregon to improve access to earned benefits and local resources while helping strengthen connections between veterans and the organizations that serve them.

The Oregon Lottery returns as the Expo’s presenting partner. Since Oregon voters overwhelmingly approved Measure 96 in 2016, allocating 1.5% of net Lottery proceeds to veterans’ services in the state, Lottery funding has expanded programs and services that improve the lives of Oregon veterans and their families throughout the state.

“Since voters directed a portion of our revenue to services for Oregon veterans, the Lottery has delivered more than $184 million,” noted Lottery Director Mike Wells. “Events like the Veteran Benefit Expo help connect veterans with the benefits they've earned, and we’re honored to play a role in promoting those important resources.”

Organizations interested in exhibiting at the Veteran Benefit Expo may register through Aug. 10. There is no cost to participate, though space is limited. Additional information about the event, including exhibitor registration and event details, is available at expo.oregondva.com.
 

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

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SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) Director Phil Castle announced today the appointment of Marcia Harnden as the agency’s next deputy director. She will assume the role in September following the departure of current Deputy Director Kathy McAlpine, who is resigning effective Aug. 14.
 

Harnden currently serves as Chief of Police in Albany, Ore., a position she has held since 2020. She is the current past president of the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, is an executive board member with the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, and is a founding member of the Northwest Women’s Law Enforcement Network. Prior to joining the Albany Police Department, Harnden spent 25 years with the Bellevue Police Department in Washington, where she served in multiple leadership roles before retiring as a captain.
 

“Marcia has a passion for training, a proven commitment to employee wellness, and a thoughtful and caring leadership style,” said Director Castle. “She is the ideal candidate to continue guiding DPSST’s mission, and I am thrilled to welcome her as our next deputy director.”
 

Outgoing Deputy Director Kathy McAlpine joined DPSST as director of the Professional Standards Division in January 2024 and was appointed as the agency’s deputy director in January 2025. Before joining DPSST, McAlpine served for six years as the chief of police in Tigard and spent more than 30 years with the Tacoma Police Department in Washington. She is leaving DPSST to serve as chief operating officer at South Sound 911 in Tacoma.
 

“I want to express my deepest appreciation to Kathy for being the best deputy and partner I could have asked for,” said Director Castle. “Her work ethic and dedication to our mission are second to none, and she has made a monumental impact at DPSST.”
 

Director Castle will assume the duties of the deputy director during the interim period between McAlpine’s departure and Harnden’s start.
 

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About DPSST
 

The mission of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is to pursue excellence in training and accountability for public safety professionals.
 

DPSST certifies and licenses police, corrections, and parole and probation officers, as well as regulatory specialists, emergency telecommunicators and medical dispatchers, criminal justice instructors, private security providers, private investigators, fire service professionals, and polygraph examiners in the state of Oregon.  
 

DPSST works with public and private safety agencies around the state to provide basic, leadership and specialized training at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem and regionally throughout the state.

ODOT, OEM, DEQ and OHA Urge Drivers to Plan Ahead, Stay Informed, and Travel Prepared

SALEM, Ore. – With wildfire activity increasing across Oregon during the 2026 season, State officials are urging travelers to use extreme caution and remain aware of rapidly changing conditions. Heavy smoke can severely reduce visibility, worsen air quality, and create hazardous and unhealthy driving situations. In several areas, fire activity has already resulted in temporary road closures, reduced speed zones, and detours.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) continue working together to keep Oregonians safe—and they’re asking the public to take steps to prepare before hitting the road.

“If you’re planning a road trip this summer, make sure your car is ready,” said Alaina Calhoun, Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) Manager for the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM). “Start your trip with a full tank of gas or a full electric charge, check your tires and air conditioner, and know your route ahead of time. Conditions can change quickly during wildfire season.” 

OEM encourages travelers to carry a well-stocked emergency car kit in case of delays or unexpected closures.

A car kit should include:

• Jumper cables
• Flares or a reflective triangle
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Blanket
• Map or printed directions
• Cell phone and car charger
• Backup power supply
• Hand-crank weather radio (modern ones double as backup cell phone power)
• N95 respirator (to help filter smoky air)
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape (for sheltering in place if needed)
• Wet wipes, garbage bags, and toilet paper
• Whistle to signal for help
• Water and non-perishable snacks
• Cash or traveler’s checks
• Portable shovel

The Oregon Health Authority also advises keeping the air inside the vehicle as clean as possible when air quality is poor. Keep windows closed. Turn the air settings to recirculate and run the fan. Avoid smoking or vaping, and scented fresheners inside the vehicle. These can add to pollution inside the car. If it is hot outside, be sure to turn on the vehicle’s air conditioner--and set it to recirculate--to keep the temperature and air quality inside safe. 

Wildfire conditions can add to the stresses of driving. If you need someone to talk through how you feel, or you feel anxious or frustrated, help is available by dialing 988. The Agristress helpline is also available for agricultural workers. Remember: never text while driving. Call only when it is safe to do so, such as after pulling over in a safe place or arriving at your destination. 

“We all have a role to play in preventing wildfires in Oregon, especially as extended drought conditions create a greater window of opportunity for roadside ignitions,” said ODOT Lead Public Information Officer Kacey Davey.  “Smoke affects visibility as well as air quality and can lead to sudden changes in driving conditions. If visibility is poor or air quality is hazardous, consider delaying your trip. Safety should always come first. If you must drive in smoky conditions, keep windows closed and set your car’s air system to recirculate to reduce the amount of smoke entering the vehicle.”

Before You Go:

• Check road conditions at TripCheck.com or by calling 511.
• Follow all local fire restrictions and closures.
• Be aware of smoke conditions that could impact health and visibility.
• When pulling off the road, stay on paved surfaces whenever possible. Avoid the side of the road where dry grass can spark a fire if it comes in contact with your vehicle’s hot components including the exhaust system or catalytic converter.  
• Secure chains and make sure they aren’t dragging. That can cause sparks.
• Maintain proper tire pressure as driving on rims will throw off sparks.  
• View real-time hazard updates, maps, and fire information through OEM’s Wildfire Dashboard.
• Sign up for emergency alerts at ORAlert.gov and ensure Wireless Emergency Alerts are enabled on your mobile device.
• If you aren’t traveling, still get prepared. Have go-bags ready for everyone in your family, and create defensible space.
• The best preparation is to not start a fire in the first place. Visit Keep Oregon Green’s website to learn more about how you can prevent wildfires.  
• Read more about wildfire preparation here.

For more resources and wildfire readiness information, visit https://wildfire.oregon.gov.

With wildfires burning across the state and extreme weather events affecting communities, residents are reminded to prepare for potential power outages. These events can damage electrical equipment or force utilities to adjust system settings, which may lead to more frequent or longer outages. In some high-risk areas, utilities may implement public safety power shutoffs (PSPS), a safety measure designed to help protect people and communities in high fire-risk areas by proactively shutting off electricity. Utilities may also de-energize lines to protect equipment or to support firefighting efforts.

Be prepared in advance

Prepare your home and businesses in the event a wildfire or weather incident leads to a power outage.

• Be two weeks ready – Gather food, medical supplies, batteries, pet supplies, among other things, needed by family members during an outage or evacuation for up to two weeks. Learn more about what supplies to consider.
• For individuals with a medical condition that requires power, contact your electricity service provider in advance of an outage to register a Medical Certificate. This certification provides added benefits and helps the utility ensure they meet your needs in the event of an outage.
• Update your utility account on your service provider’s website to make sure they have your current contact information and can send you notifications. If uncertain which electric utility serves your area, visit https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/pages/find-your-utility.aspx.
• Keep cell phones fully charged in anticipation of an outage. Consider a car-charger for cell phones and other electronic devices.
• Plan for livestock water needs in the event well pumps lose power.
• Have a plan to relocate to an alternative location for power needs, or if you can, consider a backup generator.

During a power outage

• Avoid downed power lines, including anything near downed lines, at all costs.
• Stay clear of fire personnel and utility crews working to restore service in your community.
• Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns for emergency lighting. Do not use candles or other potential fire hazards.
• Turn off lights and unplug electric appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer to help avoid a surge to the system when service is restored. After turning off all the lights, turn one light on to know when power has been restored.
• Use generators safely – Do not run the generator inside the home or garage or anywhere near a window or vent, as these spaces can capture deadly levels of carbon monoxide. Learn more about proper use of a generator to avoid hazardous conditions.
• Check on elderly neighbors or individuals with special needs who might need additional assistance.
• Call your electricity service provider to report an outage; do not call 911.

Natural gas tips

• If required to evacuate, no need to shut off natural gas.
• If natural gas appliances do not operate properly once electricity is restored, call your natural gas service provider.
• If natural gas service is shut off, do not turn on yourself. Call your natural gas service provider to restore service.
• If you smell natural gas, evacuate immediately and call 911.

Stay informed and Be Prepared

• The best preparation is to not start a fire in the first place. Visit Keep Oregon Green’s website to learn more about how you can prevent wildfires.  
• Contact your electricity provider or log in to your account and make sure all contact information is current so you can receive alerts and messages.
• Visit Oregon Alert to find your local alert system. Provide current contact details and sign up for wildfire alerts.
• Before traveling visit Trip Check for details on road closures and conditions.
• Check air quality in Oregon.
• Visit State of Oregon Fires Dashboard
• Be 2 Weeks Ready by preparing an emergency plan and enough supplies to sustain your household for at least two weeks after a disaster.

Photo of the HOAG FIRE, courtesy of the Gilliam County Sheriff's Office

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) has activated the State Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) as of 8 a.m. on July 17, 2026, escalating to Level 3: Regional Response as wildfire conditions intensify across the state. At this time, the activation will be conducted in a hybrid format.

This activation allows OEM and partner agencies to increase coordination, situational awareness and resource support as wildfire danger escalates. Representatives from key state agencies will staff the ECC virtually to streamline communication and ensure timely assistance to affected communities.

Wildfire Conditions Across Oregon

Hot, dry weather and increasing winds are contributing to elevated fire danger in multiple regions. Several areas have entered Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches, with additional alerts expected as conditions worsen. Rapid fire spread, reduced visibility from smoke, and strain on local response resources remain ongoing concerns.

OEM urges people in Oregon to stay alert, take precautions to reduce wildfire risk, and be ready to act quickly should evacuation levels change.

Wildfire Safety and Preparedness

• Avoid activities that could spark a fire, such as using machinery that produces sparks or parking vehicles on dry grass.
• Create defensible space.
• Secure loose items outdoors and be mindful of wind-driven embers.
• Be aware of smoke conditions that could impact health and visibility.
• Follow all local fire restrictions and closures.
• If you see smoke or fire, report it immediately to 911.

Evacuation Readiness

Evacuations are currently happening in many communities around the state, and this emphasizes the importance of being ready at any time. Pack now to avoid a panicked rush at the last second.

Pack Your Go-bags

A go-bag contains essential items you may need to take with you in a hurry. Each household member (human and animal) should have an easy-to-carry, grab and go, emergency bag. Read more about wildfire preparation here.

Understand evacuation levels

1. Be Ready – Prepare to evacuate.
2. Be Set – Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
3. GO NOW – Leave immediately; danger is imminent.

Stay Informed

• Sign up for emergency alerts at gov and ensure Wireless Emergency Alerts are enabled on your mobile device.
• Monitor weather and fire updates through trusted sources such as local emergency managers, county sheriffs’ offices, the Oregon State Fire Marshal, and federal land management agencies.
• Check road conditions at com or by calling 511.
• View real-time hazard updates, maps, and fire information through OEM’s Wildfire Dashboard.
• Follow your county’s office of emergency management and OEM on social media.

Stay Connected

Visit Wildfire.oregon.gov to access wildfire preparedness resources, visit the OEM website to sign up for agency updates, and learn how to Be 2 Weeks Ready for any disaster.

Salem, Ore—The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is pleased to announce the approval and publication of the Recovery Support Function (RSF) annexes, completing the Oregon Disaster Recovery Plan (ODRP), Volume IV of the State of Oregon Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP). With these annexes finalized, Oregon now has a fully comprehensive statewide recovery plan aligned with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF). This timing is critical for fire season and the upcoming October state‑level exercise, Lahar’d Times.

“The Oregon Disaster Recovery Plan strengthens our state's ability to support communities when disaster strikes,” OEM Disaster Recovery Program Manager Quinn Butler said. “With the RSF annexes now in place, Oregon has a complete, coordinated, and equitable approach to recovery that ensures communities have the resources they need to rebuild stronger and more resilient. This work could not have been accomplished without the tremendous support and collaboration of our state agency partners.”

The ODRP and its newly finalized annexes were developed under the authority of Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 401 and align with the National Disaster Recovery Framework published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The plan reflects lessons learned from recent disasters, including the 2020 Labor Day Wildfires, and incorporates best practices to support Oregon in managing recovery operations effectively.

“Across Oregon, communities are facing multiple wildfires, and moments like these remind us why preparation matters,” OEM Director Erin McMahon said. “This fully complete recovery plan reflects the collective work and dedication of numerous state agencies. This work, combined with recent legislative actions that created new state grant programs to support both public and individual assistance—programs we hope will be fully funded in the next biennium—places Oregon in the strongest position it has ever been to help Oregonians recover after disaster.”

The ODRP provides an all‑hazards, scalable outline of statewide recovery operations that can be implemented for incidents of varying size and complexity. Key components include:

Recovery Organization: Roles and responsibilities for state, local, Tribal, and federal partners and the organizational structures used during recovery.

Recovery Concept of Operations: How recovery activities are organized, coordinated, and managed at the state level, including the recovery continuum and the transition from response to recovery.

Equity Vision: A commitment to ensuring recovery efforts meet the needs of disproportionately impacted communities and promote accessible, inclusive solutions.

Recovery Support Functions (RSFs): Seven RSFs—Community Assistance, Economic Recovery, Health Services, Human Services, Disaster Housing, Infrastructure Systems, and Natural and Cultural Resources—each now supported by detailed governing annexes that outline capabilities, coordination structures, and responsibilities.

Why It Matters

Wildfires, floods, landslides, winter storms and other disasters can have long‑lasting impacts across Oregon. With the RSF annexes now approved, Oregon has a fully comprehensive recovery plan that provides clear guidance for restoring essential services, rebuilding infrastructure, and supporting economic, health, housing, social, and environmental recovery.

The plan emphasizes whole‑community collaboration across government, Tribal Nations, nonprofits, businesses and residents to ensure recovery is locally driven and state supported.

Next Steps

With the governing annexes now published, OEM will:

• Convene quarterly meetings with recovery partners to maintain alignment and readiness.
• Provide technical assistance, training, exercises, and funding opportunities to local and Tribal jurisdictions to support whole‑community recovery planning and capacity building.
• Continue developing and implementing recovery strategies to help communities strengthen resilience before and after disasters.
• Exercise the full recovery plan during the statewide exercise Lahar’d Times in October, focusing on post‑volcanic event recovery processes outlined in the ODRP and its RSF annexes.

What You Can Do

Community members can support recovery readiness by connecting with local emergency management offices, participating in local volunteer programs and ensuring personal preparedness:

• Review insurance coverage for hazards in your region.
• Use OEM’s Be2WeeksReady Toolkit to prepare your household.
• Join CERT or your county’s volunteer search and rescue team.
• Become a Search and Rescue volunteer with your local sheriff’s office.
• Do an annual insurance check-up to ensure you have adequate coverage for all hazards—remember to confirm you have flood and wildfire insurance.
• Develop a personal PACE communications plan. What is your primary contact information, what is your alternative, contingent, emergency. You and your family should have multiple ways to connect in an emergency.

Recovery is a whole‑community effort, and every action taken before a disaster strengthens Oregon’s ability to recover afterward.

The following agencies greatly assisted with the creation of the Oregon Disaster Recovery Plan and its Annexes:  Business Oregon, Bureau of Labor and Industries, Department of Administrative Services, Department of Consumer and Business Serv ices, Department of Corrections, Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Land Conservation and Development, Department of State Lands, Higher Education Coordinating Commission, Oregon Department of Agriculture supports, Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Department of Energy, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon Department of Justice, Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs, Oregon Department of Emergency Management – Statewide Interoperability Coordinator, Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Medical Board, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department / State Historic Preservation Office, Oregon Public Utility Commission, Oregon State Fire Marshal, Oregon State Marine Board, Oregon State Police, Oregon State University Extension, Oregon Water Resources Department, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Oregon Youth Authority, Regional Solutions Team, Secretary of State and Travel Oregon. 

Training and educating Oregon workers about staying safe and healthy while on the job is vital to cultivating safe and healthy working conditions. To help expand training and education opportunities, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) offers a grant program that supports ideas to improve the safety and health of Oregon workers in high-hazard industries. And we are ready to help you bring your ideas to fruition.

The division is accepting grant applications to create innovative workplace safety or health training or education projects. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9. Oregon OSHA prioritizes  projects that engage workers on essential workplace safety or health topics. Projects may include an eye-catching safety publication or a time-saving training video or a multi-media package of best practices for a specific job task.

Go online to learn about how to apply or contact Theodore (Ted) Bunch at 971-375-8001 or email e.bunch@dcbs.oregon.gov">theodore.bunch@dcbs.oregon.gov. A fact sheet includes more details about the grant program.  

The grant program focuses on high-hazard industries in Oregon, including forestry, construction, and agriculture. A grant application may concentrate on a specific work process, targeting a reduction or elimination of related hazards. Nonprofit organizations, labor and employer associations, and educational institutions may apply for grants.

Grants may not be used to pay for projects that are purely for research, ongoing activities, or for activities required by law. Only new or substantially expanded projects will be considered for funding. Oregon OSHA is seeking project ideas that advance workplace safety and health training or education. We are not looking for ideas that handle concerns that have already been addressed. Materials produced by grant recipients cannot be sold for profit. All grant materials become available to the public. Depending on the type of project, some materials will be housed in the Oregon OSHA Resource Center while some will be available online.

Some examples of past grant projects include:

• Translation into Spanish of pesticide labels used in reforestation in Oregon and Washington
• Development of a series of toolbox talks addressing suicide prevention in the construction industry
• A virtual reality training for health care providers to help identify hazards related to infection control and prevention in hospitals
• Creation of safe-design guidelines for anchoring systems used as part of logging operations
• An educational program for nurses to prevent ergonomic-related injuries
• Videos and related training aids describing the most prevalent health hazards in construction: silica, lead, noise, and asbestos
• Spanish-language flip charts designed to help prevent heat illness among forest workers

The Oregon Legislature launched the Occupational Safety and Health Education and Training Grant Program in 1990. Award recommendations are made by Oregon OSHA’s Safe Employment Education and Training Advisory Committee, a group with members from business, labor, and government.

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

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) is reminding employers of requirements to protect workers from the hazards of extreme heat and wildfire smoke. The division offers free resources to help employers comply with requirements and to help workers understand their rights to safe and healthy workplaces.

Heat illness prevention

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

The heat illness prevention requirements apply across industries and where employers provide housing as a condition of employment. Here are the key requirements:

• General workplaces: English/Spanish 
• Employer-provided housing: English/Spanish

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

Wildfire smoke

Oregon’s wildfire smoke rule applies to employers whose employees are or will be exposed to hazardous levels of wildfire smoke. The harmful chemicals and tiny particles in wildfire smoke can make anyone sick. The tiny particles of most concern is the particulate matter with a diameter in micrometers of 2.5 or less, commonly referred to as PM2.5.

The rule’s protective measures include assessment and monitoring of air quality where workers are exposed; provision and documentation of employee training; implementation of two-way communication; use of engineering and administrative controls, such as relocation of workers to enclosed buildings or to outdoor locations where air quality is better, and work schedule changes to reduce exposures; and use of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved filtering facepiece respirators.

The key requirements are available in English and Spanish. Go online to watch an Oregon OSHA video about how to put on and use a respirator.

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

Free resources for employers

Oregon OSHA offers free resources to help improve workplace safety and health, including:

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

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

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

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

Worker safety and health rights

Under the Oregon Safe Employment Act, workers have a right to a safe and healthy workplace and the right to raise concerns free of retaliation. Under the law, employers must maintain safe and healthy working conditions.

More resources
 

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

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

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

SALEM, Ore.—In a 5-2 vote this morning, the Oregon Board of Forestry approved a new Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan (FMP). This long-term plan, along with locally-focused, shorter-term implementation and operation plans, ensures state forests provide the social, economic and environmental benefits required of state forestlands.

The new plan is aligned with the expected approval of the submitted Western Oregon State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) by the federal services later this year or in early 2027. The board’s approval stipulates that the new FMP is to become effective once ODF receives an approved HCP and incidental take permits from the federal services.

“This plan, when implemented along with the HCP, will provide economic certainty for timber harvests, environmental protections and enhancements, and continued recreational opportunities for all who depend on, use, and care about Oregon’s state forests,” said Mike Wilson, chief of ODF’s State Forests Division.

The new FMP has been in development since 2018, and Wilson has been involved with the effort from the start. “Developing a plan like this over such a long timeframe not only requires immense dedication from ODF staff, but an enormous about of outreach and collaboration,” Wilson said. “Our county partners, tribes, other state agencies, stakeholders and the general public have been essential in crafting a plan that would be compatible with an HCP and still provide decision space for the board and department to manage our state forestlands into the future.”

When effective, the new FMP will replace the 2010 Northwest and Southwest FMPs and the 2011 Elliott State Forest FMP. (The Elliott FMP still governs the management of Board of Forestry parcels adjacent to the Elliott State Research Forest.) While state forests management is still government by the current FMP and associated implementation and annual operating plans, the board’s decision gives ODF the clarity to move forward with crafting new plans for fiscal year 2028 that provide more specific management objectives and operational details.

For more on the management of state forests see ODF’s website.

The Western Oregon State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan under review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries, provides an integrated, collaborative, ecosystem-based approach to species conservation across the landscape and will ideally result in the department being issued incidental take permits (ITPs) for 15 species of wildlife and fish. The conservation measures in the HCP are designed to offset potential impacts from forest management, while the ITPs ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Together, the plan and permits provide a more holistic, cost-effective approach to ESA compliance, while also creating more certainty around the long-term financial viability of managing state forests for economic benefits. Learn more about the HCP here.

SALEM, Ore. — The Adaptive Management Program Committee will meet virtually at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28. To join, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Report from AMPC-IRST subcommittee on effectiveness monitoring strategy
• IRST Co-chairs presentation on scoping proposals on Amphibians questions 1 & 2
• Amphibians questions 1 & 2 into existing research agenda – This is a decision item

The meeting is open to the public to attend online via Teams. Public comments will be accepted near the start of the meeting. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200 or by email at ogram@odf.oregon.gov">adaptivemanagementprogram@odf.oregon.gov.

The 13-member committee The Adaptive Management Program Committee helps determine if forest practices are meeting their goals to protect natural resources through a science-based and transparent process. The committee sets the research agenda that the Independent Research and Science Team (IRST) implements. View more information on the AMPC webpage.

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is deploying its Complex Incident Management Team 3 (CIMT) to manage the Brewer and Box Springs wildfires in the Prineville and Sisters area. This is the third and last ODF-staffed team the department has available.  The deployment is necessary due to the unusual early season “resistance to control” nature of these lightening caused fires in central Oregon.  

The Brewer fire started Wednesday and grew to estimated 14,000 acres today; on Thursday it was at 3,000 acres. It is currently managed by ODF CIMT 2, but Team 2 also has the Pilot and Akawa fires. So, ODF CIMT 3 will take over the Brewer fire and the Box Springs fire. Box Springs was only 40 acres this morning but has grown rapidly.  It is burning in timber and grass.  ODF firefighters describe some of the terrain as steep nasty canyons and draws which make it difficult to battle.  

ODF fire managers stress patience and safety as resources are stretched thin and firefighters have been putting in long days and nights.  All local resources are committed but additional air and ground firefighting resources have been ordered through partnerships with other states.  However, it may take a while to fulfill all the requests since the Northwest region has multiple large fires asking for additional resources. 

The fires managed by both ODF CIMTs in central Oregon have evacuation orders that are issued by county sheriff’s offices, to see the latest and to set up alerts from the counties go to: https://centraloregonfire.org

 The public is urged to avoid these areas due to heavy firefighting traffic and possible road closures. 

ODF CIMT 3 is scheduled for an in-brief tomorrow at noon and then take over management of the Brewer and Box Springs fires at 6 p.m.  The incident command will be in Prineville.

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry will hold a special virtual meeting on Wednesday, July 22, starting at 8:30 a.m. An Executive Session is scheduled immediately following the board meeting. The focus of this special meeting is for the board to consider the adoption of the Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan. This meeting will be livestreamed on the department’s YouTube channel. 

The board’s business agenda includes:

• FTLAC comments
• Consider adoption of the Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan 

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

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

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

The Oregon Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30 million-acre forestland base. Learn more about the board.

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is deploying its Complex Incident Management Team 2 (CIMT) to manage multiple central Oregon wildfires in the Prineville and Sisters area. The all ODF-staffed team will coordinate current and additional personnel and equipment assigned to the incidents.

The CIMT will battle the Brewer fire estimated at more than 3,000 acres, the Akawa fire at more than 3,200 acres and the Pilot fire at 100 acres.  The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Level 1 evacuation notice for the Brewer fire and a Level 1 and Level 2 notice for the Akawa fire.  For the Pilot fire the Cook County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Level 1 evacuation notice.  To see more information on the fires and to set up alerts from the counties go to: https://centraloregonfire.org

 The public is urged to avoid these areas due to heavy firefighting traffic and possible road closures.   

The team is scheduled for an in-brief tomorrow at noon and then schedule take over management of the fire at 6 p.m.  The incident command is expected to be in Sisters.

The Brewer fire started yesterday, and the Pilot and Akawa fires ignited today.  All three fires were caused by lightning.   Although there was rain in the area last night and today it was not enough to significantly impact the fires.  Dry fuels on the ground and continued warm weather will contribute to the fires’ intensity making fighting the fires challenging and the need for additional resources including the CIMT. 

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Governing Board of the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) will meet in a special session on Wednesday, July 22, to review and approve the Agency Request Budget. This public meeting will be conducted via teleconference from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The meeting agenda, including call-in information, is available at: https://www.oregon.gov/dogami/about/govboard/boardagenda_7_22_2026.pdf

The DOGAMI Governing Board sets policy, oversees general operations, and adopts a strategic plan every six years. The Board meets at least quarterly. As active members of their communities, Board members provide an important connection between Oregonians and DOGAMI’s mission of providing earth science information and regulation to make Oregon safe and prosperous.

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Media resources

Instead of conducting individual interviews for this announcement, ODHS will host a virtual media availability on Tuesday, July 21, from 2 to 2:20 p.m. Members of the media will have an opportunity to ask questions about SNAP work or activity rules, volunteering and available supports. You may join the event using this Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/216549316424242?p=6xpmIxQS2Az27JblWp

A recording of the media availability will be available after the event for media unable to attend live: https://vimeo.com/showcase/12330638

A Spanish-language video summarizing this news release is available on Vimeo. Spanish-language media may request interviews or submit questions in Spanish by contacting ODHS Bilingual Communications Officer ma.A.Taylor@odhs.oregon.gov">Adriana Taylor.
 

Salem, OR. —Helping in a community garden. Volunteering at a food pantry. Assisting in a child's classroom. Many Oregonians may already be volunteering in ways that could help them meet federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work and activity rules.

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is encouraging anyone who has questions about SNAP work or activity rules to contact the agency to discuss options. Depending on a person's circumstances, volunteer activities may help them meet work requirements while giving back to their communities, building skills and confidence that may support future employment, and strengthening local communities.

How volunteering may help

Ways people might volunteer include, but are not limited to:

• Helping in a community or school garden
• Helping in a classroom or school library
• Volunteering at a food pantry or community meal site
• Helping at an animal shelter
• Assisting at a senior center or community center
• Supporting nonprofit organizations through office, event or maintenance work
• Participating in community service projects
• Coaching youth sports or helping with after-school programs
• Organizing or staffing community events such as festivals, charity runs, or cultural celebrations
• Helping at local parks with clean‑ups, trail maintenance, or habitat restoration
• Mentoring or tutoring students

What to do if you have questions

Contact ODHS if you’re volunteering and would like to learn how your volunteer hours can count for SNAP. ODHS staff can explain how to document your hours.

You may also learn more about how volunteering counts toward SNAP work and activity rules, documenting volunteer hours and submitting proof to ODHS at  Oregon.gov/snapworkrules or Oregon.gov/snapnormastrabajo.

"Many people are already giving back to their communities and growing their skills, but don't realize those same activities may also help them meet SNAP work or activity rules," said Jessica Amaya Hoffman, ODHS SNAP Director. "Volunteering can be a meaningful way to serve your community while building skills and experience that may open doors to future employment. The most important thing people can do is contact us. We'll help them understand their options."

Every person's situation is different. Some people may qualify for an exemption from SNAP work or activity rules, while others may already be meeting the requirements through work, education, training or volunteer activities.

People who think they may qualify for an exemption or want to report volunteer hours or other work activities can complete the Report of Exemptions, Paid or Unpaid Work, or Good Cause form. The form can help identify whether someone may qualify for an exemption and report volunteer hours or other work activities to ODHS. The form is available in English and Spanish.

People may choose volunteer opportunities in their communities that fit their interests and schedule. ODHS does not match people with volunteer opportunities, but staff can explain how volunteer activities count toward SNAP work or activity rules. Many communities have websites or social media groups that collect and post local volunteer opportunities.

About SNAP work or activity rules

As of July 2025, federal changes expanded SNAP work or activity rules, increasing the number of Oregonians who need to meet these requirements to continue receiving food benefits. Adults ages 18 to 64 without a child under age 14 in their SNAP household are required to complete 80 hours of work or volunteering each month unless they qualify for an exemption or live in a waived area. (More information about exemptions and waived areas can be found at Oregon.gov/snapworkrules.) For each month these hours are not met, a counting month notice is sent out. ODHS encourages anyone who receives a SNAP counting month notice to reach out to the work or activity rules team (ABAWD Team) at 1-833-947-1694 or AWDTeam@odhsoha.oregon.gov">SNAP.ABAWDTeam@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

How ODHS can help

People who contact ODHS may:

• Review the list of exemptions and explore if any apply to them.
• Complete the Report of Exemptions, Paid or Unpaid Work, or Good Cause form to report volunteer hours, work activities or possible exemptions. This form is available in English, Spanish, and several other languages.
• Let ODHS know they are volunteering and provide proof of any volunteer activities they already participate in.
• Learn how to document volunteer hours and submit proof to ODHS. SNAP participants are responsible for submitting proof of their volunteer hours.
• Be connected with WorkSource Oregon and other employment and training resources.

Learn more

For more information about SNAP work or activity rules and exemptions:

• English: Oregon.gov/snapworkrules
• Spanish: Oregon.gov/snapnormastrabajo

ODHS ABAWD Team:

• Call: 1-833-947-1694
  • Phone hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
  • Relay calls are accepted, and language interpreters are available.
• Email: AWDTeam@odhsoha.oregon.gov">SNAP.ABAWDTeam@odhsoha.oregon.gov

NOTE: This alert has been updated to include that Stella Dolton is suspected to be in the Klamath Falls or Portland areas.

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Stella Rose Dolton, age 15 who went missing from Klamath Falls on July 16, 2026. They are believed to be in danger.

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

Stella Dolton is suspected to be in the Klamath Falls or Portland area.

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. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report suspected 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.

Child Legal Name: Stella Dolton

Child Preferred Name: Clay Dolton

Pronouns: she/they

Age: 15

Height: 5’2

Weight: 147 pounds

Hair color: brown hair/shoulder length

Eye color: greenish/blue

Specific Identifying Characteristics: green pants with a black shirt

Law enforcement agency name and report #: Klamath Falls Police Department  202607160050

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Report #: 2095475

Date Missing: July 16, 2026

Suspected and/or frequented location(s): Klamath Falls/Medford Area

The Oregon Department of Revenue has released the 2026 edition of its annual, Oregon Personal Income Tax Statistics report covering Tax Year 2024. Personal Income Tax is the state’s largest source of tax revenue and is forecast to provide about 84 percent of the General Fund for the 2025–27 biennium.

What is the Oregon Personal Income Tax Statistics report?

This publication tells the story of how personal income tax is calculated for individual taxpayers, provides demographic information describing who Oregon’s taxpayers are, and compares the most recent characteristics of taxpayers with data from previous years dating back to 2013. The statistics presented are based on tax year 2024 income tax returns received by the Oregon Department of Revenue in the 2025 calendar year.

Who uses the Oregon Personal Income Tax Statistics report?

The report provides information valuable to businesses, government officials, policymakers, taxpayers, the general public, and media reporting on tax and revenue issues.

Where can you get the Oregon Personal Income Tax Statistics report?

The report can be accessed online at (spell out website URL) and is presented in PDF format so that pages, sections, or the entire report can be easily printed. Detailed tables, and additional information about Oregon’s personal income tax, such as publications and forms, can be found on the Oregon Department of Revenue statistics webpage.

New program supports children experiencing homelessness

July 20, 2026

Media contact: Jonathan Modie,  PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisories issued for Brownlee, Hells Canyon reservoirs July 20

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued recreational use health advisories today for Brownlee Reservoir and Hells Canyon Reservoir due to elevated microcystin levels.

Brownlee Reservoir is in Baker County and Hells Canyon Reservoir is in Baker and Wallowa counties. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare also issued advisories for the cross-border reservoirs July 20.

People should avoid swimming and other water activities with a high risk of swallowing water or inhaling water droplets in areas of the lake where blooms are present. Ingestion or inhalation of water is the exposure route of concern. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA issued the advisories due to levels of cyanotoxin that exceed the recreational use value (RUV). OHA’s RUVs are designed to protect the most vulnerable, including children, who have a higher activity level and are more likely to swallow water while recreating.

OHA encourages people to visit Brownlee and Hells Canyon reservoirs and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

Drinking water

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

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

Symptoms for people, pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size, level of activity, and likelihood of swallowing water.

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

Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crusts along the shore. This is regardless of whether a recreational use health advisory in place. Symptoms in dogs can include difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, and loss of appetite, and more.  If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible. OHA recommends keeping dogs on leashes, away from affected water and mat material, to help reduce the chance of exposure.

Fishing

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

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

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July 17, 2026 

Media Contact: Kim Lippert, Kimberly.l.lippert@oha.oregon.gov

New residential treatment facility to open in Salem

SALEM, Ore. – Behavioral health professionals and local partners gathered on July 15 to celebrate the opening of Ruth Marie House, a new residential treatment facility that expands housing and treatment options for adults with severe and persistent mental illness in Marion County.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) supported development of the 10-bed facility through a $1.3 million investment from House Bill 5024, which became law in 2021. The home provides 24-hour residential treatment in a supportive setting that helps people build skills, increase independence and support long-term recovery.

“Every person deserves the opportunity to recover and thrive in their own community,” said Ebony Clarke, OHA’s Behavioral Health Division director. “Ruth Marie House expands access to community-based behavioral health services in Marion County and provides people with the support, stability and dignity they need on their recovery journey.”

Ruth Marie House is named in honor of Ruth Marie Carroll, whose leadership and advocacy helped establish residential behavioral health services in Marion County nearly 50 years ago. Alongside her husband, Donald Carroll, she helped expand care for people living with serious mental health challenges.

Ruth Marie House supports OHA's goal to expand home and community-based behavioral health services so more people can receive care where they live.

“Mental health is huge and everyone needs help and support,” said Erica Ouderkirk, administrator at Ruth Marie House. “It’s great to provide that care for people and see their accomplishments.”

Residents are expected to move in over the next few months.

The Ruth Marie House is a new residential treatment facility that expands housing and treatment options for adults with severe and persistent mental illness in Marion County.

Community members and behavioral health professionals gathered at the Ruth Marie House to tour the new home for adults recovering from severe and persistent mental illness in Marion County.

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July 16, 2026

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Mosquito pool in Jackson County tests positive for West Nile virus

Disease’s detection in insects collected at Eagle Point trap is first of 2026

PORTLAND, Ore.—West Nile virus (WNv) has been detected in a mosquito pool collected July 15 in Eagle Point, marking the first time in 2026 that the virus has been detected. 

July, August and September are considered peak months for WNv activity in Jackson County.  The mosquitoes were collected by the Jackson County Vector Control District as part of a routine surveillance program and DNA testing. 

Mosquito pools are traps that hold up to 50 insects. County vector control districts around the state use the pools to collect mosquitoes so they can be tested for mosquito-borne diseases that affect humans and animals, such as birds and horses.  

Residents are urged to take basic precautions against mosquitoes since WNv is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. People should consult their health care providers if they experience any flu-like symptoms, especially in people older than 50 with underlying health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Health care providers can contact the Jackson County Health Department for information on WNv testing. 

The virus also affects wildlife and domesticated and farm animals. Horse owners should get their horses vaccinated for WNv. Horses with neurologic disease should be examined by a veterinarian. WNv testing is available at Oregon State University. 

OHA and the Jackson County Vector Control District suggest these steps to protect against mosquitoes: 

• Eliminate or treat sources of standing water around your home.
• Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Use repellants containing DEET, oil of lemon/eucalyptus, or Picardin  (always follow label directions).
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors.
• Ensure that screen doors and windows are in good condition and fit tightly. 

West Nile virus is detected every year in Oregon, although mostly in mosquito pools. In 2023, the virus was found in 70 mosquito pools, four horses and 17 people; in 2024, there were 21 West Nile-positive mosquito pools, but no human or animal infections; in 2025, 11 mosquito pools, two horses and two people—both of the human infections were acquired outside Oregon—were infected. 

Additional information about West Nile virus: 

• OHA website: http://public.health.oregon.gov/DiseasesConditions/DiseasesAZ/WestNileVirus/Pages/survey.aspx
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.html

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July 16, 2026

Media Contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov 

Lower Umatilla well users urged to re-test drinking water this summer 

Concentrations of nitrate can be higher in domestic wells during warmer months, OHA officials say

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is encouraging residents of the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area (LUBGWMA) to test their well water for nitrate this summer, a time of the year when concentrations of the chemical can be higher.

OHA is kicking off a summer education and testing campaign with the slogan “Ready to Well Test? Summer is best!” that reminds domestic well users in the LUBGWMA about the importance of testing between July and September. Limited nitrate data OHA has collected in the area since March 2023 show that levels of nitrate increase during summer months.

The LUBGWMA is an area spanning northern Morrow County and northwestern Umatilla County designated by the state due to high nitrate in groundwater that supplies domestic wells.

OHA and county public health staff and volunteers will go door to door in LUBGWMA communities in August and September to offer free well testing. Households with a laboratory nitrate test result above 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) can receive free water delivery. For households whose well water tests higher than 10 mg/L but below 25 mg/L, OHA will pay for installation and maintenance of one in-home reverse-osmosis system certified to reduce nitrate levels to safe for drinking (treatment systems are not certified to remove nitrate at levels above 25 mg/L).

More information about the locations, dates, and times for door-to-door canvassing in the area will be provided closer to the August canvassing period.

Nitrate in well water is a potential health hazard, and levels above 10 mg/L can be dangerous for human consumption. Pregnant people and babies face the greatest risk. Retesting households with well water close to the health action level of 10 mg/L of nitrate is especially important because nitrate levels can fluctuate during different seasons of the year.

“The goal of the OHA Domestic Well Safety Program is to determine public health risk from nitrate exposure in domestic wells, so first-time samples and seasonal re-samples of well water are best collected during the period most likely to reflect a worst-case scenario,” said Ana Piñeyro, coordinator of the Domestic Well Safety Program in OHA’s Environmental Public Health Section.

Anyone who lives in the LUBGWMA can get a free nitrate laboratory analysis of their well water by visiting the website testmywell.oregon.gov (in Spanish at pruebadepozo.oregon.gov) or emailing Domestic.Wells@odhsoha.oregon.gov. They can also call the OHA Domestic Well Safety Program at 541-952-9254.

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The Oregon State Marine Board will hold its quarterly hybrid meeting on July 30 at the Inn at Cross Keys Station, 66 NW Cedar Street, in Madras. The meeting will be held in the main conference room beginning at 8:30 am.

Agenda items include:

• Director’s Report, Informational
• Siletz River Rulemaking – Board Vote
• Aquatic Invasive Species Program Update – Informational
• Life Jacket Rules -Option to Initiate Rulemaking
• Reciprocity with Idaho Guides and Outfitters – Option to Initiate Rulemaking
• Leadership Elections for Chair and Vice Chair – Board Vote

Public comments will be accepted in writing or during the meeting’s public comment period before discussing the agenda items. The agency will not be taking any testimony pertaining to any agenda items where the comment period has already closed. To provide oral testimony on non-agenda items, register by 5 p.m., July 27, with Jennifer Cooper at .cooper@boat.oregon.gov">jennifer.cooper@boat.oregon.gov or by mail: Oregon State Marine Board, Attn: Jennifer Cooper, 435 Commercial St. NE, Suite 400, Salem, OR 97301.

Meeting materials and live stream link are available on the agency’s Public Meetings page.

Meetings are conducted via the Microsoft Teams application, and viewing may require installing the free Teams app on mobile devices.

-End-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2026

Notice of Virtual Meeting
Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC)
Behavioral Health and Housing Subcommittee
Tuesday, July 28, 2026

(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, July 28, 2026, 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 koree.tate@douglascountyor.gov or call (541) 957-7790.

The meeting agenda is attached and can also be found at www.douglascountyor.gov. To view the post meeting recording, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/@douglascountyoregongov.

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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Chief Public Information Officer | Douglas County Public Affairs Office |
Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov

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

Joint Release: Douglas County Environmental Health Division, Douglas Public Health Network, and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 20, 2026

Two Additional Bats Infected with Rabies Identified in Douglas County

(Douglas County, Oregon) Douglas County Environmental Health Division, working in conjunction with Douglas Public Health Network and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division received a report from Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirming that two additional bats found in Douglas County, Oregon have tested positive for rabies. Nineteen bats have tested positive thus far in Oregon in 2026, three of which are from Douglas County, and the first positive bat we reported in May.

These two bats were sent for testing by Douglas County Environmental Health Division in accordance with Oregon Health Authority’s Investigative Guidelines for Animal Bites and Rabies. A Douglas County resident was bitten on the finger after picking up a sick bat during the day. They have been notified of the positive results and are receiving follow-up medical care. The second bat was found by a dog who was fortunately up to date on their rabies vaccinations. The owner has been notified, and the dog has received follow-up veterinary care.

In Oregon, bats are the only reservoir species that naturally carry and sustain the rabies virus in the wild. Other animals like foxes, skunks, or cats and dogs can become infected after contacting an infected bat. Phil Kailiuli, Douglas County Environmental Health Supervisor reminds us: “Please do not touch a bat or any other wild animal. To protect your pets, ensure your dogs, cats and ferrets are up to date on their vaccinations” For assistance and wildlife advice, please call our local Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Roseburg Field Office at (541) 440-3353 or Umpqua Wildlife Rescue at (541) 440-6895.

If you are accidentally bitten or scratched by a bat, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer, Douglas County Public Health Officer offers this reminder: “It is important to not delay medical care after a bat encounter. To prevent rabies transmission, wash the wound with soap and running water and go to the closest emergency room to start post-exposure treatment.”

Other Helpful Tips:

• Never touch a bat with bare hands. If you see a bat during daylight hours, it is most likely unhealthy.
• If your child or pet picks up a dead bat and you need to collect it for testing: only pick it up with gloves or another item, seal it in a plastic bag and place it in the freezer.  This preserves the brain stem which is necessary for testing. Deceased bats that are kept at room temperature for more than a day might not be able to be tested properly.
• Do not approach or touch a wounded animal, leave that for the professionals. Do not feed, try to catch, or play with wild animals such as foxes, squirrels, birds, skunks, opossums, bats, beavers, rats, venomous snakes or raccoons.

For additional tips about animal bites and rabies prevention visit here.   To report an animal bite or if you have questions or concerns related to animal bites or rabies, please contact Douglas County Environmental Health Division at (541) 440-4559 or Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division at (541) 440-4328. To reach these professionals outside of business hours, please call Douglas County’s Non-Emergency Dispatch Line: 541-440-4471. For more resources you can visit DPHN's Animal Bites webpage or Oregon Health Authority or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 

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Media Contacts:

Vanessa Becker | Public Information Officer & Public Health Modernization | Douglas Public Health Network | Cell: (541) 817-6552 | Email: vanessa@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org

rad.odell@dougalscountyor.gov">Undersheriff Brad O’Dell | Douglas County Sheriff’s Office | Phone: (541) 440-4464 | Email: rad.odell@douglascountyor.gov">brad.odell@douglascountyor.gov

Jonathan Modie | Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division | Phone: (971) 246-9139 | Email: PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

a.howell@douglascountyor.gov">Tamara Howell | Chief Public Information Officer | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Phone: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov

Road Name: Wendling Road (Wendling Covered Bridge)

Location: Wendling Covered Bridge at milepost 3.5 near Marcola

Dates and times: Complete closure now through Wednesday, July 29

Alternate routes: BLM Road 16-1-10 can be used to access beyond Wendling Covered Bridge

Reason for closure: Bridge approach repair

Lane County Parks will begin construction on parking lot improvements at Howard Buford Recreation Area's Arboretum/Main Summit Trail parking lot on Wednesday, July 22. Construction is anticipated to continue through October.

The project is funded by the voter-supported 2022 Parks Levy and was identified though community feedback gathered during the Parks levy outreach process.

Planned improvements include:

• Full parking lot reconstruction and paving
• New ADA-accessible parking spaces and curb ramps
• An expanded passenger/bus drop-off zone with new amenities
• New stairs to connect parking levels
• Bio-engineered stormwater facilities to improve drainage and protect water quality
• New wildlife-friendly parking lot lighting

"This project responds directly to community feedback gathered during Parks levy outreach," said Brett Henry, Lane County Parks division manager. "Howard Buford Recreation Area is one of our most visited parks, and these improvements will create a safer and more accessible experience for visitors."

Visitor Access During Construction

The Arboretum/Main Summit Trail parking lot is expected to remain open, although visitors should anticipate limited parking and periodic closures during construction. Lane County Parks is working closely with the Mount Pisgah Arboretum to help maintain access for scheduled programs and events.

Construction activities will occur Monday through Friday. Visitors should expect construction noise, heavy equipment, flaggers directing traffic, and temporary work area closures. Parking on weekends may be limited depending on the stage of construction.

All trails, including Summit Trail #1, will remain open throughout the project. However, access from the Main Summit Trailhead may be limited. Visitors planning to hike are encouraged to use the North Bottomlands Trailhead or the East Trailhead for easier access during construction.

Visitors can access the summit from the following trailheads:

• North Bottomlands Trailhead: Follow Trail 7 → 17 → 1 or 7 → 3 → 1.
• East Trailhead: Follow Trail 2 → 6 or 2 → 1

Staying Informed

Questions can be directed to Lane County Parks at 541-682-2000 or ks@LaneCountyOR.gov">LaneParks@LaneCountyOR.gov.

To stay updated on the project, visit the:

• Lane County Parks website
• Projects Map
• Lane County Parks Facebook and Instagram pages
• Parks quarterly newsletter

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On July 21, 2026, a Lincoln County Grand Jury unanimously found that Oregon State Police Lieutenant Joey Pollard and Newport Police Officer Jerimiah Mangum were each justified in their use of deadly physical force against Daniel Noonan, 50, on June 17, 2026.

The Grand Jury convened yesterday to hear testimony, review body worn camera, and examine scene diagrams. The following is a factual summary of the investigation:

On June 11, 2026, Lt. Pollard, Oregon State Police, received reports of a disturbance that had occurred at a fruit stand at the intersection of Highway 229 and Highway 101, Lincoln City, Oregon.

Evidence suggested that a male suspect had initially approached the fruit stand, yelled at a Hispanic female operating the stand, before destroying the fruit stand and leaving on an e-bike. The same male suspect then returned shortly after and proceeded to make racially motivated derogatory comments. At one point in the altercation, the male suspect was seen on video strangling a Hispanic male on scene. The male suspect could also be seen carrying a handgun on his right hip during the altercation.

Through a series of investigative means, Lt. Pollard identified the male suspect as Noonan, who was believed to be living in a residence off the Siletz Highway. On June 17, 2026, the Oregon State Police, accompanied by Officer Mangum of the Newport Police Department, responded to Noonan’s residence to arrest Noonan for the crimes of menacing, criminal mischief, assault in the fourth degree, strangulation, and bias crime in the first and second degree. Law enforcement arrived at the property at approximately 3:50 PM. While standing at the top of the path, Lt. Pollard observed Noonan, wearing full camouflage, walking up the path towards Lt. Pollard. It was apparent Noonan had drastically altered his appearance since the fruit stand incident by shaving his head and large beard.

Lt. Pollard asked Noonan if he was Danny. Noonan responded in the affirmative before raising a firearm and opening fire on Lt. Pollard, as well as four other law enforcement officers in Lt. Pollard’s proximity. Lt. Pollard returned fire and Noonan quickly retreated down the path towards his residence. Shortly after, Noonan reappeared again on the path and law enforcement instructed Noonan to show his hands. Noonan responded, “Fuck you, fuck you, you N lovers” before Noonan fired again. Lt. Pollard and Officer Mangum returned fire but lost view of Noonan.

Lt. Pollard, Officer Mangum, and other members of the Oregon State Police proceeded down the path and located Noonan lying on his back. Noonan had a handgun in his right hand and held the gun to his chest. Noonan was also holding a second handgun in his left hand. Noonan did not respond to commands to drop either weapon but was still breathing. Law enforcement observed what appeared to be a gunshot wound to Noonan’s head and later located a gunshot wound to Noonan’s lower abdomen.  

Additional law enforcement responded to the scene and rendered medical aid to Noonan. Noonan was transported to the Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital but was pronounced deceased upon arrival.

The Lincoln County Major Crime Team (MCT) was activated and conducted an investigation into the use of deadly force. Lincoln City Police Department Detective Bud Lane led the investigation. Detectives from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln City Police Department, Newport Police Department, Toledo Police Department, Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, and Oregon State Police Crime Lab participated in the investigation.

Pursuant to SB 111 protocol, Lt. Pollard and Officer Mangum were both placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. Lt. Pollard has approximately 29 years of police experience, including 26 years as a member of Oregon State Police SWAT. Officer Mangum has approximately 5 years of police experience and is a current member of the Lincoln County Tactical Response Team.

Noonan appeared to live alone. A search of Noonan’s residence revealed Noonan was in possession of a police scanner, additional firearms and ammunition, child pornography (child sexual abuse material), a small make-shift sex doll, as well as children’s underwear.

An autopsy was conducted by State Medical Examiner Dr. Henry McNett on June 18, 2026. Dr. McNett determined Noonan manner of death was a gunshot wound to the head. However, Dr. McNett noted a dark discoloration consistent with soot located at the entrance of the wound, consistent with a “contact” shot. This could be indicative of a self-inflicted wound. Noonan also sustained a gunshot wound to his lower left abdomen.   
 

Noonan had no prior criminal convictions.

The Grand Jury applied the facts of this case to the legal principles dictating circumstances when deadly physical force can be used. Specifically, the Grand Jury found that, under the totality of the

circumstances known to each peace officer, each officer reasonably determined that the use of deadly physical force was necessary as:

• Deadly physical force was necessary to defend a peace officer and/or another person from the use of threatened imminent use of deadly physical force;
• Under the totality of the circumstances existing at the time and place, the use of such force was justified.

The Grand Jury further found that no reasonable alternatives, such as verbal de-escalation, waiting or using other available techniques or resources were reasonable, safe or feasible to either officer at the time they used deadly physical force.

Under Oregon law, a District Attorney or Grand Jury, made up of Lincoln County residents, may make the final decision as to whether or not law enforcement officers were justified in their use of deadly force. This case was presented to the Grand Jury by District Attorney Jenna Wallace. The Grand Jury’s decision required reviewing relevant facts and evidence available and applying them to the legal principles above. The Grand Jury concluded unanimously that the actions of Oregon State Police Lt. Pollard and Newport Police Officer Mangum on June 17, 2026 was justified and lawful.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment Tuesday charging Jonathann Uriel Ayala Garcia, 23, with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine after his involvement in a transnational criminal organization (TCO).

According to court documents, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating a Beaverton-based TCO involved in trafficking methamphetamine, firearms, and cocaine. In June 2026, investigators arrested Ayala Garcia after he arrived to sell narcotics. Investigators searched his vehicle and found approximately 16.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and 168.3 grams of heroin.

Ayala Garcia was arraigned in federal court yesterday before a U.S. magistrate judge. He pleaded not guilty and ordered detained pending a jury trial scheduled to begin on September 15, 2026.

If convicted, Ayala Garcia faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, 5 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $10 million.

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

The DEA and ATF are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Hermann is prosecuting the case.

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

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

# # #

PORTLAND, Ore.—An Ontario, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison last week for distributing methamphetamine.

Cody Bernal Carroll, 31, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and four years of supervised release.

According to court documents, in January 2023, law enforcement learned Carroll was distributing controlled substances. On February 9, 2023, Carroll sold a half a pound of methamphetamine, and, on February 23, 2023, he sold approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine. Pursuant to a search warrant at Carroll’s residence, investigators seized multiple firearms, including machine guns.

On October 5, 2023, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a three-count indictment charging Carroll with distribution of methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm.

On March 10, 2025, Carroll pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.

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

ATF and FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force, Ontario Police Department, and Oregon State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa E. LeRitz prosecuted the case.

# # #

SALEM, Ore. - Because of the rapid growth and immediate threat posed by the Hagen Fire, the Emergency Conflagration Act was invoked to provide additional resources to protect nearby homes and critical infrastructure. This marks the sixth time the act has been invoked in 2026, as Oregon continues to face a challenging fire season pushed by record-low snowpack and drier-than-normal fuel conditions.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing an incident management team and two structural task forces to the fire. These state resources will enter unified command with Northwest Team 7 to prioritize the protection of homes and critical infrastructure near the fire.

“We are facing not only challenging fire conditions but also low resource availability across the country,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “It is important now more than ever that Oregonians are wildfire aware and take actions like signing up for emergency alerts and preventing any new fires.”

As of Tuesday morning, the Hagen Fire is estimated at 5,685 acres and is located approximately nine miles southwest of Tollgate, Oregon. The fire burned actively overnight, creating spot fires that forced the withdrawal of crews working on the nearby Ninemile Fire. Firefighters are being challenged by steep, inaccessible terrain and temperatures expected to climb into triple digits this week.

The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, has issued evacuation notices. For the most recent information about evacuations please follow the local sheriff’s office.

Find information about the Hagen Fire and other fires in the Paradise Complex on the InciWeb page and on the official fire information Facebook page. Oregonians can sign up for emergency alerts at oralert.gov.

About the Oregon State Fire Marshal  

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

SALEM, Ore. – On Saturday morning, the Emergency Conflagration Act was invoked for the Akawa Butte and Brewer fires in Deschutes and Jefferson counties. The Oregon State Fire Marshal is assigning its Red Incident Management Team and several task forces to the fires to work alongside its wildland partners to protect nearby communities and critical infrastructure.

Hot, dry weather and strong, shifting winds created difficult firefighting conditions across Central Oregon Friday. The fires have grown significantly, threatening nearby communities. The Deschutes and Jefferson County sheriff’s offices have levels 1, 2, and 3 evacuation notices in place. Those looking for evacuation information should follow their local sheriff’s office.

Conditions will continue to be hot and dry on Saturday. The wind will be light in the morning but is expected to increase in the afternoon. Fire managers expect challenging, wind-driven fire activity later in the day.

“The conditions we’re seeing across Oregon have challenged firefighters for the past week and the current forecast isn’t providing much relief,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “I’m urging every Oregonian to be wildfire aware and to sign up for their county’s emergency alerts. Know the evacuation levels and follow them if they are issued.”

The Oregon State Fire Marshal Red Incident Management Team will be in unified command with the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Team 2.

This is the fifth time the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked in 2026. The Oregon State Fire Marshal is posting updates on incidents it has resources assigned to on osfminfo.org. Oregonians can sign up for emergency alerts at oralert.gov.

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

SALEM, Ore. – On Friday afternoon, the Emergency Conflagration Act was invoked for the Rowe Creek Complex in Wheeler County. The Oregon State Fire Marshal has assigned its Green Incident Management team and four task forces from Clackamas and Lane counties and two from the state of Washington.

The complex is made up of the Camel Hump, Crosswhite, and Redrock fires. As of Friday morning, the three fires had burned 15,018 acres; the estimated acreage is likely much higher based on fire behavior Friday afternoon.

The Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office has levels 2 and 3 evacuation notices in place for communities near these fires. The agency is sharing evacuation information on their Facebook page and on their Genesys Protect dashboard.

On Thursday night, the Oregon State Fire Marshal assigned two structural task forces to Wheeler County through Immediate Response. These firefighters worked to protect homes and critical infrastructure. The region is seeing challenging fire conditions with tinder dry fuels and an unfavorable forecast with temperatures expected to climb into the upper 90s, and possibly triple digits. A Red Flag Warning is in place for parts of North Central Oregon through Friday night.

“The extreme fire conditions, the forecast, and these recent wildfires have challenged our firefighters,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “We are using every tool at our disposal to protect homes and communities from these fires. I ask that every Oregonian pay close attention to these wildfires and if you are asked to evacuate to do so.”

The Oregon State Fire Marshal Green Incident Management Team will be in unified command with a federal incident management team, Northwest Team 2, which has also been assigned to the complex.

This is the fourth time the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked in 2026. It is also the fourth conflagration since July 10, 2026.

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

SALEM, Ore. – With Oregon’s fire protection resources heavily committed to wildfires across the state, the Oregon State Fire Marshal is bringing in five task forces from California and two task forces from Washington to focus on protecting communities and critical infrastructure as the state faces extreme fire conditions.

Earlier this week thunderstorms moved through the region, dropping thousands of lightning strikes and sparking numerous wildfires. These additional firefighters and equipment will support fires the state fire marshal has resources assigned to and will be available for any emerging incidents.

The resources were mobilized through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact in coordination with the Oregon Department of Emergency Management.

“The Oregon fire service is doing extraordinary work across the state, but the number of active incidents is placing a significant demand on the system,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz‑Temple said. “Bringing in resources from other states is a common practice that supports the entire wildfire response system.”

The California resources will be assigned according to incident priorities and may support community defense, structure triage, protection of critical infrastructure, and other missions aligned with their qualifications. The task forces from Washington are working alongside Oregon crews in Wheeler County on the Rowe Creek Complex.

The Oregon Department of Forestry, tribal, and federal wildland agencies will continue managing wildland suppression operations within their respective jurisdictions. The Oregon State Fire Marshal resources, including those arriving from California and Washington, are focused on reinforcing local fire service capacity and community protection efforts.

“Oregon, California, and Washington have a long history of helping one another during emergencies,” Ruiz-Temple said. “Oregon firefighters supported California communities in 2025 during the Los Angeles wildfires, and we are grateful that our neighboring states are able to answer Oregon’s request for help.”

The Oregon State Fire Marshal has resources assigned to four conflagrations and one Immediate Response incident. For more information about the agency’s mobilizations and updates, visit https://osfminfo.org.

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

SALEM, Ore. – On Wednesday night, the Emergency Conflagration Act was invoked for the Lower Dry Creek Fire in Umatilla County. The Oregon State Fire Marshal began mobilizing structural protection task forces and its Red Incident Management Team. Local firefighters have been fighting the fast-moving fire near Milton-Freewater and Weston since it was reported Wednesday afternoon.

The fire is estimated to be more than 5,000 acres and was being pushed by gusty winds from passing thunderstorms and extremely dry conditions. The fire has prompted levels 2 and 3 evacuation notices by the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office. Those seeking evacuation information can find updates on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilized two structural task forces and air resources through Immediate Response. Additional structural task forces are being mobilized to boost capacity and protect property and critical infrastructure.

“Wednesday was an extremely active day for firefighters across the state as hot, dry weather coupled with thunderstorms elevated wildfire risk,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “The forecast is calling for continued thunderstorms and temperatures into the mid-90s for the coming week. I’m asking every Oregonian to be aware of the wildfire threat and take steps to prevent sparking any new wildfires.”

This is the third time the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked in 2026.

About the Oregon State Fire Marshal

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

Annual Fundraiser for High Desert Museum Supports Exhibitions, Wildlife Care, and Educational Programs

BEND, OR—Tickets are now available for Central Oregon's longest-running charitable gala, High Desert Rendezvous, returning for its 37th year on Saturday, August 22. The annual celebration welcomes supporters for an evening of connection, philanthropy, and unforgettable High Desert experiences. An individual ticket for Rendezvous is $200 for members and $250 for nonmembers. Tables of eight or 10 are available for sponsorship. Tickets are available at highdesertmuseum.org/support/give/hdr/.
 

“We are excited to gather with our friends and supporters for an evening that reflects the spirit of the Museum and the community that makes our work possible,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “Rendezvous is an opportunity to celebrate what we have accomplished together and to invest in the Museum’s future.”

The evening begins as guests stroll the Museum's entry path, where animal ambassadors, including hawks, beavers, and desert tortoises, offer a memorable welcome. Guests will enjoy hosted beverages, passed appetizers, interactive experiences, and encounters with living history interpreters before gathering beneath the event tent for dinner, where an action-packed live auction and music help complete the festive evening.
 

This year, the Museum will once again offer a raffle, giving one lucky supporter the opportunity to name the Museum's juvenile porcupine. The female porcupine came to the Museum in fall 2025 and is now thriving in the Museum’s care. She can often be seen in the porcupine habitat or during daily wildlife encounters. Raffle tickets are $50 each and available online at highdesertmuseum.org/hdr.
 

Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on artwork featured in Art in the West, a juried exhibition and silent auction which recently opened on July 18. A gallery guide of the artwork from Art in the West is available on the Museum’s website at highdesertmuseum.org/whats-on/exhibitions/aiw.
 

The 2026 Rendezvous Honoree is the Swindells Family, recognized for a distinguished legacy of philanthropy, civic leadership, and a longstanding commitment to Oregon communities. For generations, the family has supported education, cultural institutions, environmental stewardship, and community well-being throughout the state. The Swindells’ investment in organizations like the High Desert Museum helps ensure that cultural and educational experiences continue to inspire curiosity, deepen understanding, and strengthen communities for years to come.
 

High Desert Rendezvous is the Museum’s largest annual fundraiser, welcoming more than 300 guests each year. In 2025, the gala raised a record-breaking $700,000 in support of the Museum’s mission-driven work. Proceeds support world-class exhibitions, educational programs serving thousands of students each year, and the expert care of more than 100 animals that call the Museum home.
 

The 37^th annual High Desert Rendezvous is presented by Bonta Gelato, made possible by Ferguson Wellman Wealth Management, and thanks to Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Vista Capital Partners, and Donner Flower Shop. For tickets and event information, visit highdesertmuseum.org/hdr.

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 and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2025 recipient of the Autry Public History Prize from the Western History Association and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. 

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Today, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust published its Winter & Spring 2026 Grants Report. The report announces:

• 152 grants to Pacific Northwest nonprofits totaling $34,368,234.
• This includes $11,871,886 through 52 grants to nonprofits serving the Oregon community.
• The report can be found here. A full list of Strategic Project grants can be found here.

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust is a private, nonprofit foundation that has invested more than $1.5 billion in nonprofits serving the Pacific Northwest since 1975. For details, please visit our website murdocktrust.org.

Portland, OR — Last month, 38 Oregon students traveled to the University of Maryland to compete in the National History Day® (NHD®) contest. Representing 21 projects, these students joined nearly 3,000 students from across the nation to share their documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances, and websites inspired by the annual theme, Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History. 

During the trip, Oregon participants had the opportunity to explore museums and historic sites around Washington, D.C., and take a special tour of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. They also met with Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and toured the U.S. Capitol building with Senator Ron Wyden’s staff.

These students previously competed at Oregon History Day, the statewide affiliate of NHD. This year-long academic program for grades 6–12 challenges students to conduct original historical research, analyze primary and secondary sources, and present their findings to a panel of volunteer judges.

Two Oregon teams also earned special prizes at the National Contest:

Equality in History Award (Senior Division)

Westview High School students Naail Ahmad, Nathan Chandra, Byron Lau, and Ryan Lee received national recognition for their documentary, Measure 9: Oregon’s Hate and Oregon’s Pride. Their project examined Oregon’s 1992 Measure 9 and how the response to the proposed anti-LGBTQ+ measure helped strengthen the movement for queer rights in Oregon.

Latino American History Award (Senior Division)

Portland students and siblings Nia Vasquez and Zanna Vasquez earned the award for Low and Slow: How Lowriders Shaped America’s Chicano Culture, a website exploring how lowrider culture challenged discrimination while celebrating Mexican American identity and community. 

Two projects were also recognized as Outstanding Affiliate Entries from Oregon.

Outstanding Affiliate Award (Junior Division)

Edward Jenner: How He Revolutionized, Reformed, and Caused a Reaction in Medicine, a group performance by Meadow Park Middle School students Rachel Hessel, Aishah Mushir, Sansita Premchander, Haya Shahid, and Surya Terrall.

Outstanding Affiliate Award (Senior Division)

The John Harris Story: One Man’s Reaction and a Nation’s Reform, a website by Ridgeview High School student Finn Stancliff.

Beyond the competition, History Day leaves a lasting impression on students, equipping them with skills in critical thinking, research, and communication that endure far beyond the contest.

“It has all been such a blast,” said Oregon History Day volunteer judge Siddharth S. “I am so reinvigorated by the passion that some students put into their historical exhibits, and I believe they will represent Oregon well.”

Students can begin working on projects for the 2027 contest now based on the annual theme Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change.

About the Oregon Historical Society

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

July 16, 2026.   Oregon Parks Forever has joined the National Park Foundation,  the National Park Friends Alliance and 160 park philanthropic partners in a letter urging Congress to pass the bipartisan America the Beautiful Act (S.1547 / H.R.9250) to reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF)—a critical U.S. government fund dedicated to the stewardship and maintenance of America’s greatest treasures. The LRF is meant to address deferred maintenance backlogs affecting national parks, wildlife refuges, and other public lands managed by federal agencies.

Reauthorizing the LRF would increase the amount of money available to fix crumbling infrastructure, repair trails, and ensure that public lands remain safe and accessible, to between $1.9 Billion to $2.0 Billion annually and would extend the fund availability through 2033.

The letter, addressed to Majority Leader Thune, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Johnson, and Minority Leader Jeffries, highlights the successes of the LRF since its creation under the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020, and the urgent need for reauthorization following its expiration on September 30, 2025:

“The LRF provided $1.3 billion annually, totaling $6.5 billion over its five-year lifespan, to undertake nearly 400 priority infrastructure projects across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. This landmark investment in our national parks and public lands delivered measurable results and improvements to critical park infrastructure, including road repairs, trail and campground upgrades, restoration of historic structures, rehabilitation of utility systems, and modernization of visitor facilities."  

“These projects preserved America’s natural and historical legacy – uniquely American places that are the envy of the world. They enhanced access, improved safety, and elevated and modernized the visitor experience. In addition, the LRF’s investment delivered irrefutable economic impact, supporting more than 72,000 jobs, injecting $5 billion into the labor market nationwide, and contributing $8 billion to the nation’s GDP. These benefits have been felt most acutely by the local communities in every state and territory that surround and depend upon healthy, thriving parks.”

Oregon Parks Forever's Executive Director, Seth Miller, said "As a statewide non-profit working to enhance the visitor experience and accessibility of all parks across Oregon, Oregon Parks Forever sees the critical need for - and the impact of - catching up on deferred maintenance across all of the federally managed parks in the state."

Federal public land management agencies operating in Oregon who will benefit from the LRF include the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, the Army Corps of Engineers and the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Of the nearly 60% of Oregon’s land that is owned by some government agency, approximately 53% of that is the federal government. The balance is owned by State and Local agencies.

Unfortunately, the LRF expired on September 30, 2025, and much work remains to keep our parks and public lands safe and accessible. While the LRF made sizable dents in the National Park Service’s (NPS) and other federal agencies maintenance needs, its reauthorization is essential if we are to sustain our national commitment to stewarding these cherished places. Renewing the LRF will allow NPS and the other public lands bureaus to expand the impact of these landmark investments to date. By leveraging and improving upon the systems already in place, with a strong emphasis on support from national park partners and nonprofits to deploy dollars where needed, new LRF funding will be utilized quickly, efficiently, and effectively for the highest-need infrastructure projects across the country