SUTHERLIN, Ore. - A two-vehicle crash east of Sutherlin left two teenagers critically injured Wednesday evening. 
 

On Wednesday, March 26, 2025 around 6:40 p.m., 9-1-1 dispatchers received reports of a two-vehicle collision in the area of the intersection of Nonpareil Road and Northside Road.
 

Deputies along with officers from the Sutherlin Police Department responded to the scene. It was determined a 2009 Silver Acura MDX operated by a 17-year-old female Oakland teen, had been traveling southbound on Northside Road. The Acura came to a stop at the intersection and then pulled into the path of an eastbound 2001 Ford F-250 pickup towing an excavator on a flatbed trailer. The driver of the F-250, 32-year-old Patrick Foley of Sutherlin, attempted to stop his vehicle, but was unable to avoid the collision. 
 

The driver of the Acura and her 17-year-old female passenger from Sutherlin were both seriously injured in the incident. Both teens were transported to Mercy Medical Center and were later transferred to Portland area hospitals. 
 

Foley sustained minor injuries and was fully cooperative with the investigation. 
 

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Sutherlin Police Department, Fair Oaks Fire Department, Sutherlin Fire Department, and Umpqua Valley Ambulance.

VIDEO AVAILABLE

Broll: https://vimeo.com/1070169864?share=copy#t=0

Interviews: https://vimeo.com/1070170999?share=copy#t=0

JCSO Case 25-1530

MEDFORD, Ore. – A Jacksonville man is in jail today after attempting to lure and sexually corrupt a local teen. The suspect and the underaged victim connected via the Snapchat “Quick Add” feature. The child’s parents learned of the communications on March 22, intervened, and reported it to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO). Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) detectives took over the child’s Snapchat account and learned a local 39-year-old man was communicating sexually with the teen.  

On March 26, the suspect arranged to meet with a SOCET detective posing as the teen. Undercover detectives from JCSO, SOCET, Oregon State Police (OSP), and Medford Police Department (MPD) positioned themselves at the suspect’s prearranged meet up location. The suspect arrived in the 2900 block of Crater Lake Highway in Medford, and detectives arrested him without incident at 7:28 PM.

The suspect, Anthony Nicholas Wheeler, 39, of Jacksonville, is charged with first-degree online sexual corruption of a child, second-degree online sexual corruption of a child, and luring a minor. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail.

JCSO detectives, OSP, and MPD assisted in the arrest and investigation. United States Marshals Service funded the operation. SOCET is a joint inter-agency task force that started in June of 2020 to combat child exploitation. The task force consists of investigators from JCSO, Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations, as well as prosecutors from our local, state and federal law enforcement partners in Jackson and Josephine County. The case will be prosecuted by the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

This case is a reminder of the importance for parents to be aware of what their child is doing online.  The vigilance of this child’s parents led to a safe outcome but that is not always the case. Here are a few tips to help protect children online:

• Discuss internet safety and develop an online safety plan with children before they engage in online activity. Establish clear guidelines, teach children to spot red flags, and encourage children to have open communication with you.

• Encourage children to tell a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult if anyone asks them to engage in sexual activity or other inappropriate behavior.

• Immediately report suspected online enticement or sexual exploitation of a child by calling 911, contacting the FBI at www.tips.fbi.gov, or filing a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-843-5678 or www.report.cybertip.org.

For more information on keep kids safe on the internet, go to https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-ceos/keeping-children-safe-online. There is no further information available for release at this time.

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On March 26, 2025, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) arrested 63-year-old Nickie Young of Siletz, OR after she reported finding two dogs abandoned near milepost 30 of Siletz Highway. Through investigation, Animal Services Deputies determined that Nickie was the owner of both dogs and had reported finding them abandoned because she no longer wanted them. LCSO took protective custody of the dogs and transferred them to an out-of-county partner facility for adoption. Ms. Young is charged with initiating a false report, an A-misdemeanor, and abandoning an animal, a B-misdemeanor. 

The LCSO Animal Services Division provides Law Enforcement services in cases related to animal abuse and neglect, and for enforcement of animal-related violations. Animal Shelters across the nation are experiencing increased animal abandonment cases. If you cannot adequately care for your animal(s), please reach out to your local non-profit Animal Rescue and Animal Adoption Centers. If you are struggling to provide medical care or food for your animals, please contact your local Animal Shelter for guidance on resources available locally to assist. LCSO encourages anyone with animal-related complaints or concerns to contact Dispatch at 541-265-0777.

SPRING SAFETY  
 

With the beginning of spring, many find themselves “spring cleaning” and spending more time outdoors. Spring is a great time to review a safety checklist for your home and complete a few updates that could save your life.

Smoke Alarms

1. Smoke alarms save lives – if they are powered by a fresh battery. Test smoke alarm batteries monthly and replace the battery at least once a year. Anytime the alarm makes a "chirping" sound, replace the batteries immediately.

2. Smoke alarms should be located in every bedroom and in the common areas on each floor of a home. Mount them at least 10 feet from the stove to reduce false alarms, less than 12 inches from the ceiling, and away from windows, doors, and ducts.

3. Smoke alarms can be interconnected wirelessly which means when one sounds, they all sound. This is a quick way to notify everyone in a home if there is a fire.

4. When installing or replacing smoke alarms, purchase and install new alarms.

5. Practice how your family will react if smoke alarms go off and consider how that looks at different times through the day or at night. Do not forget to plan your escape from each room and include pets in the process.

6. The National Fire Protection Association has additional resources on smoke alarm safety.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

1. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless gas, that can kill you. Anything that burns fuel can potentially become a source of carbon monoxide. CO detectors should be installed in a central location outside each bedroom and on every level of the home.

2. Similar to smoke alarms, test CO detectors’ batteries monthly and replace them at least once a year or sooner if needed.

3. Consider interconnecting the detectors to alert the entire household at once.

4. Make sure vents for your gas appliances (fireplace, dryer, stove, furnace, etc.) are free and clear of snow and debris.

5. Only use gas powered grills and generators outside and away from doors, window, or air intakes.

Household Emergency Plan

Every household needs an emergency plan, especially in the event of a natural disaster or other catastrophic event. Take time to create and review that plan with family, household members, and any neighbors that may have a part in the plan. Consider how your household will react to different emergencies, plan for evacuation routes and alternative routes, and review your emergency supplies. Remember, disasters can strike at any time. Consider what your actions will be if something happens at work, school, the grocery store, and in other areas you frequent.

Emergency plan necessities:

1. A communications plan to outline how your family/household members will contact each another and where you will meet if you need to evacuate.

2. A shelter-in-place plan. This is often necessary during events where outside air is contaminated and unsafe. Remember to prepare supplies for sealing windows, doors, and air vents with plastic sheeting.

3. An evacuation plan with various routes and destinations. If your household has access and functional needs, pets, livestock, or expensive equipment, plan on evacuating sooner so there is more time to safely leave the area. Before there is a disaster, research what friends, family, or hotels can accommodate your pets and livestock during an emergency.

4. A home and car emergency kit. Your emergency kit should include at least one gallon of water per day for each person, at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food, flashlight or headlamp and batteries, first aid kit, filter mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape, and medicines. On the Oregon coast, it is recommended that households have enough supplies to be self-sufficient for at least 3-weeks. Unable to prepare 3-weeks of supplies? Some emergency supplies are still better than no emergency supplies.

5. A plan and supplies for your household’s unique needs. Don’t forget to plan for special circumstances such as mobility challenges, medical conditions, allergies, and other things that impact your household’s comfort, health, and safety.

Be prepared, not scared. Visit Ready.gov for a complete list and other tips for making your family’s emergency plan.

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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Klamath County, Ore. 31 March 2025- On Monday, March 31, 2025, at 8:46 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on Highway 97, near milepost 176, in Klamath County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Buick LeSabre, operated by Leif Taylor Celusta (34) of Crescent, lost control, crossed into the southbound lane, and struck a southbound Kenworth commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Robert Emil Mewes (58) of Madras.

The operator of the Buick (Celusta) was declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Kenworth (Mewes) was reportely uninjured.

The highway was impacted for approximately two hours during the on-scene investigation. Speed and roadway conditions are being considered primary causes of the crash.

OSP was assisted by Crescent Fire and ODOT.

# # #

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

Umatilla County, Ore. 1 April 2025- On Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 2:20 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Interstate 84, near milepost 190, in Umatilla County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Chevrolet Venture, operated by Kenneth Leroy Stout (85) of Ilwaco (WA), was passing through a single lane construction zone when it began to pass vehicles on the inside shoulder of the roadway. The operator lost control, entered the median, rolled several times, and came to rest on the westbound shoulder.

The operator (Stout), who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and declared deceased at the scene.

The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation. The primary cause of the crash is considered unsafe passing and further investigation is being conducted.

OSP was assisted by the Echo Fire Department, Stanfield Fire Department, Umatilla County Fire District 1, Umatilla County Sheriff's Office, and ODOT.

# # #

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: March 29, 2025

Traffic stop leads to seizure of drugs and gun, one in custody

Salem, Ore. — A man faces multiple charges after an early morning traffic stop in north Salem led to the seizure of drugs and a firearm.

At approximately 2:30 a.m. today, a Salem Police officer on patrol conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle with three occupants in the area of Silverton RD near Lana AV NE. The driver, Michael Martin Trevino, age 37, had an outstanding warrant and did not have a license. He was taken into custody.

One of the passengers, Justin David Tickell, age 41, was found with a small quantity of methamphetamine. He was cited for possession of a controlled substance and released at the scene.

The third passenger, Gavino Manuel Rocha, age 28, initially resisted arrest. Rocha was found with a handgun, drugs, and paraphernalia on his person. Officers seized the gun, nearly eight ounces of methamphetamine, and cash.

Trevino and Rocha were transported and lodged at the Marion County Jail. Trevino has since posted bail.

Rocha remains in jail custody on the following charges:

• Felon in possession of a weapon, firearm
• Unlawful possession of methamphetamine
• Unlawful delivery of methamphetamine
• Unlawful manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of school
• Unlawful possession of a weapon, firearm

Rocha will be arraigned on Monday, March 31, at 2:30 p.m. at the Marion County Circuit Court Annex.

# # #

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – Springfield Utility Board’s longtime General Manager, Jeff Nelson, announced today that he will retire on June 30, 2026, after nearly 30 years of service to the community-owned water and electric utility.

Nelson began his career at SUB in 1996 as Resource Planning Manager and later became Director of that division. In 2012, following a nationwide search, SUB’s five-member Board of Directors appointed him as General Manager.

“Springfield is an amazing community,” Nelson said. “It has been an honor to serve Springfield customers and to work under the leadership of several elected Boards.”

Throughout his tenure, Nelson has helped guide the utility through numerous challenges—from the West Coast power crisis in the early 2000s to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, he led the utility through a comprehensive internal and external review following the 2024 ice storm. The resulting after-action process has been praised for its transparency and rigor. “We know we will be tested again,” said Nelson, “and the detailed action items leave the utility well-positioned to weather future disturbances.”

“It has been a privilege to work alongside an organization filled with dedicated, talented employees who love this work and who inspire me every day with their commitment to providing reliable power and safe drinking water,” he added.

SUB Board Chair David Willis noted the stability of SUB’s leadership over the decades. “In our 75-year history, we’ve had only five general managers,” he said. “That’s rare in the utility industry, and our job as a Board is to continue that tradition of steady leadership by finding another remarkable person who can lead us into the future. Jeff’s early notice gives us the time we need to do this thoughtfully and thoroughly.”

When his retirement date arrives, Nelson will have spent three decades with SUB. “SUB has always been my priority,” he said. “But that means there’s a growing personal list of things I’d like to experience. I’m at a good place and looking forward to tackling that list in my next chapter -- but there is still work to do with the SUB team.”

Nelson made it clear that he’s ready to support the Board in its recruitment process. “I’m focused on running through the tape. I want a strong finish and a smooth transition.”

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About Springfield Utility Board: Founded in 1950, Springfield Utility Board is a community-owned utility dedicated to providing safe, reliable, cost-effective water and electric services to the residents and businesses of Springfield. SUB is a not-for-profit entity, chartered under the City of Springfield and guided by a five-member, independently elected Board of Directors. As a public utility, SUB is focused on providing excellent customer service and quality work at competitive rates.

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — Approximately 150 Springfield Utility Board (SUB) customers in the Harbor Drive area of south Springfield were without power today after strong winds gusted through the area. 

Crews responded quickly and were able to restore service within an hour of initial outage reports.

"We appreciate our customers’ patience as our crews worked to safely restore power," said Jeff Nelson, SUB's general manager.

About Springfield Utility Board: Founded in 1950, Springfield Utility Board is a community-owned utility dedicated to providing safe, reliable, cost-effective water and electric services to the residents and businesses of Springfield. SUB is a not-for-profit entity, chartered under the City of Springfield and guided by a five-member, independently elected Board of Directors. As a public utility, SUB is focused on providing excellent customer service and quality work at competitive rates.

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An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, David Dietrich, died the morning of March 27, 2025. Dietrich was incarcerated at Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) in Salem and passed away in the infirmary while on hospice care. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified, and the State Medical Examiner will determine cause of death.

Dietrich entered DOC custody on July 12, 2007, from Washington County with a projected release date of March 13, 2032. Dietrich was 71 years old.

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

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

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SALEM, Ore. – Governor Tina Kotek has proclaimed April 2025 to be Oregon Arbor Month throughout the state. This year’s proclamation recognizes the importance to neighborhoods of urban trees as cities add housing and rapidly densify.

The proclamation states that “Trees play an integral role in fostering healthy communities,” adding that urban development and the preservation of trees demands a careful balance.

Governor Kotek said “To protect Oregon’s natural and working lands in the face of the worsening climate crisis, we must build a more resilient future that forges connection across our landscapes, for both rural and urban communities alike. Arbor Month is key to this goal, promoting the preservation and planting of trees across Oregon.”

Her proclamation notes the loss of many trees in Oregon in recent years to wildfire, extreme heat and drought, development pressures and new tree-killing pests, such as emerald ash borer.

Oregon Dept. of Forestry Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager Scott Altenhoff said “Replacing those trees will require us to pick up the pace not only of planting but also of ensuring nurseries have the capacity to grow the numbers and types of trees needed that are resilient to climate change and resistant to serious pests and diseases.”

He added that it is equally important to grow and diversify the workforce in urban forestry.

Altenhoff said there is growing recognition, as cited in the proclamation, that the benefits of tree canopy have been unevenly distributed in the state. “Many low-income areas and those with large populations of people of color have fewer large shade trees than more affluent neighborhoods. Research has shown that having fewer large shade trees in those lower-canopy neighborhoods is strongly associated with increased deaths from heart disease and poor health outcomes.”

As examples, Altenhoff cited studies showing lack of trees can affect everything from having more low-birthweight babies to increased rates of asthma and mental health issues, as well as higher rates of domestic violence and certain crimes.

“We are in a much better position now to help communities increase their canopy, thanks to the Oregon Legislature last biennium providing the first-ever state funding dedicated to support urban forestry so we can help communities have healthy, shade-giving urban forests,” he said.

History of Arbor Month

Oregon Arbor Month grew out of Arbor Day, a one-day tree-planting campaign in Nebraska in 1872. The event spread nationwide and expanded in many states to a week-long celebration of all-things tree related. In Oregon, a few years ago the non-profit Oregon Community Trees lobbied to expand the time devoted to celebrating trees to the entire month.

Read the full text of the proclamation.

# # #

SALEM, Ore. — The Adaptive Management Program Committee will meet at noon on Monday, April 7 in the Clatsop Room, Building C, at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters, located at 2600 State St. in Salem. To join virtually, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Discuss amphibians research questions (Substantial decision item)

• Discuss the IRST’s questions on the scoping proposal on eastern Oregon steep slopes questions (Substantial decision item)

• Discuss potential modifications to the AMPC charter (Substantial decision item)

• Discuss effectiveness monitoring

The meeting is open to the public to attend in person and 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.

EUGENE, Ore. – Early registration ticket pricing for Oregon’s largest Urban and Community Forestry Conference has been extended to midnight on Sunday, April 13. The one-day conference will be held again this year on Thursday, May 15 at Venue 252 in downtown Eugene.  It is put on by the non-profit organization Oregon Community Trees in partnership with the Oregon Department of Forestry and USDA Forest Service. Co-presenting sponsors are OUR Community Forestry and Portland Urban Forestry.

The conference’s theme – Growing Together: Collaboration and Diverse Voices in Urban Forestry – will feature speakers and panelists providing insights into:

• How those working to extend the many benefits of shade-tree canopy more widely can do so in a more equitable manner by collaborating with communities.
• How people currently under-represented in urban forestry and arboriculture can be recruited into the profession and helped to flourish within it.

Keynote speaker Christine Carmichael, PhD, will be flying in from Michigan to share historic, current, and future trends in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the urban forestry field.

There will also be panels discussing workforce development and collaborating with diverse communities, including Oregon’s Tribal nations. OUR Community Forestry, which is co-sponsoring this year’s conference, will also share its experience working with communities in southern Oregon, including Talent, a large portion of which was destroyed by the 2020 Almeda Fire. Continuing education credits are being sought for the conference.

According to Scott Altenhoff, who is Manager of the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, conference attendees will learn ideas for how cities can be more successful at getting trees into neighborhoods that have below-average tree canopy, often because of historic inequities. “These often low-income areas are at greatest risk from extreme heat events and adverse health effects from lack of large, healthy trees nearby,” he said. “Yet they can be challenging places to try and establish tree canopy, not least being narrow or non-existent planting strips for street trees.”

Oregon Community Trees Conference Co-Chair Heidi Lakics said she’s excited about the conference this year. “It will bring together people who care passionately about meeting Oregonians’ needs for more trees with others interested in opening up opportunities for more people to find good jobs in the arboriculture and urban forestry fields,” she said.

Early registration is $150 until April 13 and $180 after that date ($170 if the person registering lives or works in a Tree City USA community). Students can register for $80 at any time before registration ends May 8. Price includes a boxed lunch and a social hour beverage and snacks following the conference. To register, go to Growing Together: Collaboration and Diverse Voices in Urban Forestry

About Oregon Community Trees

The mission of this non-profit, Oregon-based organization is to promote healthy urban and community forests through leadership, education, awareness and advocacy.

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Salem, Ore. -- Oregon has received approval from the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to waive the 10-Day Timely Reporting requirement to request replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost or destroyed during the March 16, 2025, floods, mudslides, and power outages.  

New deadline for SNAP replacement benefits 

Households in the approved counties now have until April 15, 2025, to report food losses and request replacement benefits.  

Approved counties for the waiver: 

Individuals residing in the following counties are eligible to request SNAP replacement benefits by the extended deadline:  

• Clackamas 

• Coos 

• Curry 

• Douglas 

• Harney 

• Jackson 

• Josephine 

• Lane 

• Malheur  

• Multnomah 

What about other counties? 

For individuals who live in a county not listed above, the standard 10 day rule remains in effect. Food losses must be reported within 10 days of the incident, and proof may be required.  

How to request SNAP replacement benefits: 

Individuals who experienced food losses due to the storm can submit a request for replacement benefits using one of the following methods: 

• By phone: Call 1-800-699-9075 or 711 (TTY) 

• In person: Visit a local office (find locations at: Oregon.gov) 

• By mail: (Requests must be received by the due date)  

• ONE Customer Service Center P.O. Box 14015 Salem, OR 97309 

• By email: Send requests to egon.Benefits@odhsoha.oregon.gov" target="_blank">Oregon.Benefits@odhsoha.oregon.gov  

• Online: Submit requests via the ONE online portal 

The information necessary to make a request is available in the form 347D: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/de0349d.pdf 

The information required to replace the SNAP benefits may be found in the form 347D found here: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/de0349d.pdf 

When does the waiver end? 

The waiver will remain in effect until April 15, 2025. After this date, the standard 10-day rule for reporting food losses and requesting replacement benefits will apply. 

About the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 

SNAP helps households with low incomes buy food. If you qualify, you get benefits that can be used to buy groceries at authorized stores. For more information or to request SNAP replacement benefits, contact your local office or visit the Oregon SNAP benefit website or call 800-699-9075.

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(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Joshua Makalea, age 17, a child in foster care who went missing from Monmouth on March 14. He is believed to be in danger.

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

Joshua is known to frequent Dallas, Independence, Monmouth and Albany. He may be in or trying to travel to Sacramento, California.  

Name: Joshua Makalea
Pronouns: He/him
Date of birth: Jan. 14, 2008
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 145 pounds
Hair: Brown, most recently dyed black
Eye color: Hazel
Other identifying information: Joshua’s often bleaches his hair
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Case #25-3007
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #2045779

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

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

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Salem, OR—Nearly 1.2 million Oregonians have already filed their state personal income tax returns this year.

But with just two weeks before taxes are due, April 15, more than 1 million Oregonians have yet to submit their tax year 2024 returns.

“Taxpayers are slightly ahead of the pace from 2023, the most recent non-kicker year. We still expect to see a rush of returns as we get closer to Tax Day,” said Megan Denison, Personal Tax and Compliance Division administrator with the Oregon Department of Revenue.

“Our best advice for taxpayers is to get their returns in as soon as possible.”

In addition, to filing sooner rather than later, the department offers the following information for taxpayers who still need to file their state return.

File electronically.

E-filing is the fastest way for taxpayers to get their tax refund. On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund sooner than those who file paper returns and request paper refund checks. Taxpayers should file just once. Sending a paper return through the mail after e-filing will a delay a refund.

Free filing options

Revenue provides several options for taxpayers to e-file their returns for free. Oregon Free Fillable Forms performs basic calculations and is ideal for taxpayers who don’t need help preparing their returns and want the convenience of filing electronically. The IRS offers a similar option for filing federal taxes electronically.

New this year, taxpayers can file their federal return directly with the IRS using IRS Direct File and their Oregon return directly with the state through Direct File Oregon for free. Videos are available to show how to use IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon.

Information about all available free tax preparation software options is available on the Revenue website, along with a list of organizations providing free assistance.

Where’s my refund? tool and video

Revenue has issued nearly 850,000 refunds already this year, most within two weeks of filing. Taxpayers wondering about the refund on their tax year 2024 return, can use the Oregon Department of Revenue’s Where’s My Refund? tool to check its status and, if they want more information, watch a video outlining the refund timelines to better understand the process.

Filing an extension.

Individuals who are not able to file by April 15, 2025 can file an extension directly with the Oregon Department of Revenue or with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If the IRS extension is granted, the Oregon extension is automatically granted. A timely filed extension moves the federal tax filing deadline and the Oregon filing deadline to October 15, 2025.

Only request an Oregon extension if you:

• Don’t have a federal extension.
• Owe Oregon taxes.
• Can’t file your return by April 15, 2025.

Remember that having a filing extension is not an extension to pay any tax owed. Taxpayers who can’t pay the full amount they owe, should pay what they can to avoid late payment penalties.

Visit www.oregon.gov/dor to get tax forms, see a list of approved tax preparation software products, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments. For questions not answered on our website, call 800-356-4222 toll-free (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 or email questions.dor@dor.oregon.gov. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), we accept all relay calls. Due to the number of calls Revenue receives during tax season, you may experience extended wait times.

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Agenda items include rulemaking for the Elliott State Research Forest and annual updates from agency partners

SALEM, Ore. – The State Land Board will meet on Tuesday, April 8 at 10:00 a.m. at the Department of State Lands building in Salem.

Agenda items the Land Board will consider include:

• Adopt into administrative rule, by reference, the Forest Management Plan for the Elliott State Research Forest.
  At its October 2024 meeting, the Land Board approved the 2024 Forest Management Plan. The adoption of the plan into Oregon Administrative Rules further codifies it and advances public accountability on the research forest.

The Land Board will also hear an update on bills the Department is tracking in the 2025 legislative session, an annual report from the Oregon Department of Forestry on Common School Fund Forest Lands, and an annual report from the Oregon Ocean Science Trust.

Meeting Details and Agenda

Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

Department of State Lands

Land Board Room

775 Summer St. NE, Salem

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

The public may submit written testimony or sign up to provide spoken testimony (in person, by video, or phone) during the meeting. Advanced sign-up is required, and the deadline is 10 a.m. on Monday, April 7.

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

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

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

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www.oregon.gov/dsl

March 27, 2025

Media contact: Larry Bingham: ry.Bingham@oha.oregon.gov" style="color: rgb(6, 66, 118); text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%;">Larry.Bingham@oha.oregon.gov; 971-239-6499

Impact of federal grant cuts on OHA programs and Oregonians

PORTLAND, Ore.--The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), abruptly terminated roughly $117 million in COVID-era grants and funding for Oregon Health Authority programs, an impact that will be felt immediately in all nine federally recognized Tribal communities and in every county in Oregon.

The sudden loss of the funding, a year or more before some of the grants were scheduled to end, included, among other things:

• Five grants in OHA’s Behavioral Health Division that helped establish the 988 crisis line and were planned to fill critical gaps in community substance use treatment, prevention, and recovery services, especially for communities of color, young adults, and veterans.
• A grant that established an Equity Office in OHA’s Public Health Division and provided technical assistance and training to rural health care providers, Tribes, Local Public Health Departments and community-based organizations on how to improve health in communities experiencing health inequities.
• Multiple immunization-related grants in OHA's Public Health Division to support vaccine-preventable disease work, including funding for clinics in local and Tribal communities where COVID-19 and other vaccines are offered, training to keep health care providers up to date, education for community partners on the importance of immunizations, help desk support for health care providers and the general public, information materials in multiple languages to meet specific community needs.
• Multiple grants in OHA’s Public Health Division that supported adding laboratory capacity, modernizing data systems, increased surveillance, testing and response to communicable diseases caused by respiratory viruses.

OHA officials earlier today notified local public health authorities, the nine federally recognized Tribes and community-based organizations and partners who receive the funds that the grants have ended. OHA will continue to engage in a full evaluation of the impacts of these terminations, including whether they are legal, and remains committed to improving the lifelong health of all people in Oregon.

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March 27, 2025

Media Contact: Erica Heartquist, 503-871-8843, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Aid-in-dying deaths drop while prescriptions increase, OHA report shows

Death with Dignity Act participant characteristics consistent with previous years

PORTLAND, Ore. — Prescriptions for life-ending medications under Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act (DWDA) increased between 2023 and 2024, while the number of deaths went down, according to new Oregon Health Authority (OHA) data.

According to OHA’s 27^th annual report on the DWDA, the number of prescriptions written for lethal medications increased 8.2%, from 561 to 607; deaths from ingestion of lethal doses of DWDA medications dropped about 2.6%, from 386 to 376.

The 2024 data represent a significant change from 2023, when prescriptions increased about 29%, driven largely by a 2023 amendment to the DWDA that removed the state residency requirement. Deaths from ingesting the lethal medications increased that year by about 20%.

In 2024, 23 prescription recipients (4%) lived outside of Oregon, a slight decrease from 29 (5%) in 2023.

“What we’re seeing is, perhaps, a cooling of the heightened interest and participation in the DWDA that occurred when patients were no longer required to be Oregon residents to receive medical aid in dying,” said Tom Jeanne, M.D., M.P.H.., deputy state health officer and epidemiologist.

He added that OHA has not seen any dramatic shifts in demographics of people who participate in the DWDA, noting that “characteristics of participants have remained generally consistent with previous years.”

Despite the increase in DWDA patients during 2023, the report’s findings are similar to those of previous years. The number of physician-assisted deaths remains a small percentage of the estimated 44,000 annual deaths in Oregon.

As in prior reports, participants were more likely to be 65 or older (83%) and white (92%). The most common health diagnosis among participants was cancer (57%), followed by neurological disease (15%) and heart disease (11%).

In 2024, OHA made no referrals of prescribing physicians to the Oregon Medical Board for failure to comply with DWDA reporting requirements.

Other findings for 2024 include:

• Prescriptions for lethal doses of medication were written by 135 different physicians. 
• Just over half of patients were male (53%).
• Just under half had a bachelor’s degree or higher (45%).
• Most patients died at home (83%), and most were enrolled in hospice care (92%).
• Excluding unknown cases, all patients had some form of health insurance. The percentage of patients with private insurance increased slightly from 2023 (from 21% to 23%), while patients with Medicare or Medicaid insurance saw a slight decrease (from 79% to 77%).
• As in previous years, the three most frequently reported end‐of‐life concerns were loss of autonomy (89%), decreasing ability to participate in activities that made life enjoyable (88%), and loss of dignity (64%).

OHA is legally required to collect information on compliance with the Death with Dignity Act and to make that information available on a yearly basis.

The full report is available on OHA’s Death with Dignity Act webpage.  

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SALEM, Oregon—Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is seeking public comment on a proposal to expand the 25% out-of-state camping surcharge to parking permit fees and eliminate the two-year parking permit.

The out-of-state camping surcharge was enacted by state law in 2022 for RV campsites, and OPRD expanded it to all site types for out-of-state campers for stays beginning July 1, 2025.

The proposed rule change would add the 25% out-of-state surcharge to parking permit fees. Based on current rates, out-of-state visitors would pay $12.50 per day or $37.50 for an annual parking permit. If approved, the change would begin July 1, 2025.

Oregon residents would continue to pay the same parking permit rate of $10 per day or $30 for an annual permit.

The proposed rule change would also eliminate the sales of 24-month parking permits starting in 2026. Existing permits would be honored until they expire. The 12-month annual permit will continue to be sold.

These changes would help parks more consistently implement the surcharge as well as track annual revenue and budgets for parks in the future. It’s part of an ongoing effort to help keep pace with rising costs while continuing to provide exceptional outdoor experiences.

Public comments on the proposed rule change will be accepted through 5 p.m. April 30, 2025:

• Online: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/pages/PRP-rulemaking.aspx
• Mail: OPRD Department, attn: Katie Gauthier, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301
• Email: D.Publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov">OPRD.Publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov

A public hearing will also be held 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 2025:

• Register to attend the virtual hearing at: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__1Zw_JurTy-PYpxWhGra2w#/registration

Once the public comment period ends, the proposal with any incorporated updates is slated to go to Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission in June for possible adoption.

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CORVALLIS, ORE.— Benton County Health Services is asking people aged 18-54 years old to respond to a community survey about reproductive and sexual health.

The goal of the survey is to assess barriers, gaps, and needs around accessing reproductive health services in the community.

The Benton County Reproductive Health Program will use the data from the survey to inform referral processes and workflows for Benton County Health Services (Benton County Health Department and the Community Health Centers of Benton & Linn Counties). The data will be reported to the Oregon Reproductive Health program to fulfill grant reporting requirements, and to advocate for local and state-level systems change to address the reproductive health care services shortage. 

“We know that people have faced challenges when trying to access reproductive and sexual health care,” said Barbara Christianson, Manager for the Benton County Reproductive Health Program. “We want to hear from our community members about their experiences so we can work to improve the system of care. It’s more important now than ever.”

The survey takes about ten minutes to complete and the last day to respond is May 31, 2025. The survey is voluntary, and all information collected will remain anonymous. Participants can opt into a drawing to win a $50 Visa gift card as an appreciation for their time.

The survey is available online via Microsoft Forms in both English and Spanish. People who would like the survey in another language or who would like printed copies of the survey should contact the Benton County Reproductive Health Program at 541-766-6803 or HProgram@bentoncountyor.gov">RHProgram@bentoncountyor.gov.

Community members are encouraged to share the survey with friends, family, and networks who live in Benton County and Linn Counties and the areas nearby.

• Take the survey 
• Download and share the printable flyer 
• Share the survey on social media 

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Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact the Public Information Office at 541-766-6800 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

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Los Servicios de Salud del Condado de Benton lanzan una encuesta sobre salud reproductiva

CORVALLIS, OR.— Los Servicios de Salud del Condado de Benton solicitan a las personas de entre 18 y 54 años que respondan a una encuesta comunitaria sobre salud reproductiva y sexual.

El objetivo de la encuesta es evaluar las barreras, las deficiencias y las necesidades en el acceso a los servicios de salud reproductiva en la comunidad.

El Programa de Salud Reproductiva del Condado de Benton usará la información de la encuesta para informar los procesos de referidos y los flujos de trabajo de los Servicios de Salud del Condado de Benton. La información se reportará al programa de Salud Reproductiva del Estado de Oregón para cumplir con los requisitos del programa y para abogar por cambios en los sistemas locales y estatales para atender la escasez de servicios de salud reproductiva.

“Sabemos que las personas han enfrentado dificultades en tener acceso a la atención de salud reproductiva y sexual”, declaró Barbara Christianson, Gerente del Programa de Salud Reproductiva del Condado de Benton. “Queremos saber sobre las experiencias de los miembros de nuestra comunidad para poder trabajar y mejorar el sistema de servicios. Ahora es más importante que nunca”.

Completar la encuesta toma aproximadamente diez minutos y el último día para responder es el 31 de mayo de 2025. La encuesta es voluntaria y toda la información que se obtenga se mantendrá anónima. Los participantes pueden participar en un sorteo para ganar una tarjeta de regalo de una Visa de $50 como agradecimiento por su tiempo.

La encuesta está disponible en línea a través de un enlace de Microsoft Forms, tanto en inglés como en español. Quienes deseen la encuesta en otro idioma o copias impresas deben comunicarse con el Programa de Salud Reproductiva del Condado de Benton al 541-766-6803 o a HProgram@bentoncountyor.gov">RHProgram@bentoncountyor.gov.

Se invita a la comunidad a compartir la encuesta con amistades, familiares y conocidos que vivan en los condados de Benton y Linn y sus alrededores.

• Responda a la encuesta
• Descargue y comparta el folleto imprimible
• Comparta la encuesta en las redes sociales

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El Condado de Benton es un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades y acción afirmativa y no discrimina por motivos de discapacidad en la admisión o el acceso a nuestros programas, servicios, actividades, contratación y prácticas de empleo. Este documento está disponible en formatos e idiomas alternativos a pedido. Comuníquese con la Oficina de Información Pública al 541-766-6800 o pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Douglas County Flooding Event Response & Recovery

Friday, March 28, 2025 

(Douglas County, Ore.) – In the last ten years, Douglas County has been impacted by more than our fair share of once-in-a-lifetime unprecedented and unpredicted emergency events.  Each of these events have caused significant disruption to our communities.  Each has left an indelible mark on our people and our lands.  Each has left tremendous emotional, physical and environmental damage in their wakes.  All of them required different responses, resources and recovery tactics.  But we are thankful that we live in Douglas County…Where our residents are resilient, resourceful and proud.  Where we live in communities that come together in crisis and take care of each other.  Where we have leaders and officials that step up and are actively involved in leading and facilitating response and recovery.   Where we have taken the time to build strong community partnerships.  Where we choose to learn from each emergency.  Where we continue to build capacity for improved emergency response.  Where we have leaders that listen and care.  Where we do not hesitate to help…and where we thrive in the face of adversity. 

As our local team of leaders continue to navigate our response and recovery efforts, we encourage our residents to think about how they can help their neighbors, local businesses, and communities in the days, weeks and months to come.  During the last thirteen days, Douglas County Commissioners and Douglas County Emergency Management have recruited numerous County Department staff, community partners, and local agencies to help clean up debris, repair our roads, house displaced families, and provide resources directly to those in need.  As we look forward, we know that we cannot rely on assistance from other sources, so we need to look to each other to find local resources and assistance.  The Commissioners and Emergency Management staff are excited to share that we have partnered with Glide Revitalization (also known as Glide Rev) as our Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG).  Glide Rev’s experience and knowledge in developing and managing the long-term recovery efforts for the disastrous 2020 Archie Creek Fires near Glide laid the groundwork for the incredible non-profit agency that exists today.   Glide Rev is our official LTRG for Douglas County, and they work to support  communities impacted by disasters.  We are lucky and grateful to have this group as a valuable local resource to help us navigate the road to recovery together. 

DOUGLAS COUNTY MARCH 2025 FLOOD POP-UP RESOURCE EVENTS

Our Pop-Up Resource Teams continue to provide outreach services to the communities hit the hardest by the March 2025 Floods.  Douglas County Commissioners Tim Freeman, Tom Kress, and Chris Boice, along with Douglas County Emergency Management, Glide Revitalization, Douglas Public Health Network, local food pantries, recovery agencies and volunteers were on location in Green at Green Elementary and in Roseburg at AVIVA Health today offering support, information, and resources to residents.  Two More Pop-Up Events ARE Headed Your Way!  Tomorrow we will be in Sutherlin at The Father’ House at 378 East Second Avenue from 10 am-12 pm and in Glide at Glide Rural Fire Protection District at 18910 North Umpqua Hwy from 3:30 pm–6 pm for our last two of our series of eight Pop-Up Resource events.  The Pop-Up Resource Events are part of Douglas County Government’s grassroots local response and recovery effort helping those impacted by the March 2025 Floods. 

Got questions, need help? Our Pop-Up Resource event teams are bringing flood recovery resources directly to impacted communities.  All resource events are open to Douglas County residents regardless of where they are happening.  If you, or your business or your church or non-profit was impacted by the recent flood event, stop by to connect with resources and get support. Our team will be on-site to assist with housing, cleanup efforts, insurance guidance, and other recovery needs.

Emergency Aid – Shelter, food, water, and essential supplies.

Housing Assistance – Rental support, and rebuilding resources.

Cleanup & Repairs – Debris removal, Repairs, and mold remediation.

Insurance Guidance – Claim filing, and legal support.

Health & Well-Being – Mental health services, employment support, and transportation assistance.

Food, water, and essential supplies will also be available.

Whether you need immediate help or long-term recovery assistance, we are here to support you.  If you are unable to attend a popup event or have questions, please contact Glide Revitalization at (541) 671-0189 or admin@gliderev.com

DOUGLAS COUNTY MARCH 2025 FLOOD RECOVERY SURVEY

We strongly urge all residents to take part in our damage assessment survey. If your home, business, church, or non-profit organization was affected by the flooding on March 16, 2025, we want to hear from you!

Right now, we are at mission critical!  To even begin the process of trying to apply for possible state and federal support or funding, Douglas County as a whole (residents, businesses, cities and the county) have to meet a damage assessment value threshold (must exceed a certain total dollar amount of damage).  So, what that means for our homeowners, businesses, churches and non-profits is that we need your assessments reported to our survey.  The sooner we collect this data and reach the threshold value, the sooner we can begin to apply for additional support and possible funding.  But we can’t get there without your help.  If you have not already scanned the QR code or clicked the link and completed the survey, please do so as soon as you can.  If your neighbor or local business or church or non-profit have not completed the survey, please encourage or help them to complete it. 

This report is critical in our mission to try to get money and additional resources headed to Douglas County to help our county, communities, and residents recover.  If your home, business, church, or non-profit organization were impacted in any way by the March 2025 Storm Event, please take the time to log onto our reporting portals and share your damage assessment. 

If your Douglas County home or property was impacted by flooding from the March 2025 Storm, please scan the QR code on the flyer or visit this link to report your damage: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/ed438c451ca641ff8c6063a401b52d4d

If your Douglas County business, church or nonprofit organization was impacted by flooding from the March 2025 Storm, please scan the QR code on the flyer or visit this link to report your damage: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/dbfa37426a0e46cb9f312823b85f90f2

MARCH 2025 FLOOD – RESOURCES & INFORMATION

Douglas County Public Works & GIS Division

Our Public Works - GIS Division continues to track and map the landslides on Douglas County operated roads. Visit this link for the most-to-date information on road clean up and repairs: www.dcor.maps.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=d87f0b16e9da40a791467d9ab7ddcf32  

Douglas County Public Works and our private contractors continue to clean up debris flows and repair county-operated roads.  There could be additional lane or road closures in the future as we continue to address issues.  We understand that there are some roads that continue to be impacted by the weather and debris with some experiencing obstructions to lines, lanes and shoulders.  Please proceed with caution if you are traveling on or near these roads and if you enter a work zone, be courteous, slow down, and follow all signage and flagger instructions. Public Works crews and private contractors will be out working on the roads for a few more weeks.  If you need to report road hazards or debris flows, please call the Douglas County dispatch non-emergency line at (541) 440-4471.

2-1-1 Information Line

If you need flood related resources or have flood related questions, please call Oregon’s 2-1-1 information line.  Callers can get help with questions about insurance, flood damage, resources, debris removal and shelters.  For non-flood related questions, please email your questions to ts@douglascountyor.gov">douglasalerts@douglascountyor.gov, to report a slide or road damage call (541) 440-4471 or for life-safety emergencies call 9-1-1.  Douglas County has partnered with Glide Revitalization as our LTRG for the March 2025 Flood event.  We will be transitioning to their resource center for our local response and recovery efforts.   

American Red Cross in Douglas County

The American Red Cross (ARC), in cooperation with Douglas County Emergency Management. has been supporting Douglas County communities after the flood.  Residents needing to register with the Red Cross for services, resources or support are asked to call 1-800-Red-Cross (1-800-733-2767).

Weather and Travel Watch

The weather continues to predict a mix of warm temperatures, rain and wind.  We encourage our residents to monitor and utilize the following resources for weather updates and travel. National Weather Service – Medford Station @ https://www.weather.gov/mfr/ AND Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) https://tripcheck.com/

Commissioners continue to be actively engaged in leading the response and recovery efforts for the March 2025 Flood in Douglas County.  They are working in conjunction with Douglas County Departments including Emergency Management, Public Works, Solid Waste, GIS, and Sheriff’s Office, as well as local partners like Douglas Public Health Network, Glide Revitalization, COAD, Local Cities, Cow Creek Tribal Government, private contractors and local volunteers.  Thank you for your support and patience.  Please stay safe!

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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Lead County Public Information Officer - (541) 670-2804 cell - (541) 957-4896 office – a.howell@douglascountyor.gov">tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov  

Photos: Commissioners Freeman, Kress and Boice help answer questions and offer resources to residents during our Pop-Up Flood Resource events.  Photo credit: K.Trenkle/Douglas County

PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal judge in Portland found a Tigard, Oregon man guilty Wednesday for shooting a United States Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier.

Kevin Eugene Irvine, 34, was convicted of one count each of attempted murder of a federal employee, aggravated assault on a federal employee with a firearm, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Irvine raised an insanity defense in the bench trial held before a U.S. District Judge. The District Judge found that Irvine had failed to establish legal insanity and was guilty of all three counts in the indictment.

According to court documents, on December 24, 2022, while driving a white van through a Milwaukie, Oregon neighborhood, Irvine made eye contact with a letter carrier delivering mail on foot dressed in a USPS uniform. Irvine threw his arms in the air, which the letter carrier mistook as waving, and waved back.  

A short time later, on an adjacent street, the letter carrier noticed the same van and again made eye contact with driver, later identified as Irvine, as he drove past. Irvine stopped the van several houses away, got out of the van with a rifle, knelt on the street and fired three rounds, striking the letter carrier once as the letter carrier ran for cover. After the shooting, Irvine picked up his shell casings and drove off.

On December 28, 2022, officers spotted the van in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where they stopped the vehicle and arrested Irvine. Later, investigators sought and obtained a search warrant for Irvine’s van and found three rifles, ammunition, spent shell casings, a knife, shooting targets and ballistic gear.

On February 8, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count indictment charging Irvine with aggravated assault on a federal employee with a firearm, attempted murder of a federal employee, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

Irvine faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release for each count of attempted murder of a federal employee and aggravated assault on a federal employee with a firearm, and a mandatory minimum of ten years of imprisonment with a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. He will be sentenced on July 17, 2025.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Milwaukie Police Department and the Lake Oswego Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Gary Y. Sussman and Eliza Carmen Rodriguez, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

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North Bend School District Public Meetings – April 2025

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

April 3, 2025

Regular Board Meeting

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

835 California Ave., North Bend, OR

April 17, 2025

Board Work Session

North Bend High School Library at 6:00 p.m.

2323 Pacific Street., North Bend, OR

The schedule is subject to change.

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

Portland, OR — While scholars have addressed the U.S. government’s forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, few have focused on temporary detention centers or incarceration experiences in Oregon. “‘Not fit for human habitation’: Portland’s Wartime Japanese American Detention Camp,” published in the Spring 2025 issue of the Oregon Historical Quarterly (OHQ) by author Lauren R. Yanase, offers an important addition to the historical record.

Following the United States’ entry into World War II and President Franklin Roosevelt’s issuing of Executive Order 9066, authorizing the U.S. military to forcibly remove and incarcerate people of Japanese ancestry, West Coast military and governmental leaders began moving large populations from designated military zones to temporary locations. In May 1942, civilians arrived at the euphemistically termed Portland Assembly Center (now the Portland Expo Center), one of 15 temporary detention camps (and the only in Oregon) that the U.S. government used to detain Japanese Americans — including American citizens. The detention center, hastily converted from Pacific International Livestock Exposition Pavilion, imprisoned over 3,500 people at its peak, offered little privacy, and smelled of manure; activist Minoru Yasui described the place as “not fit for human habilitation.”

In the article, Yanase foregrounds the stories of two Japanese Americans, Ida Nakamura, a 17-year-old girl born in Portland, and Saku Tomita, a 41-year-old mother of three. Through her analysis of their firsthand accounts, government papers, and existing scholarship, Yanase documents conditions at the detention camp and argues that the Portland Assembly Center was “more than the waystation between freedom and incarceration.” There, detainees who were mostly families “battled hunger, pestilence, disease, and uncertain futures,” while “negotiat[ing] labor, leisure, and loyalty” with the Euro-American site administrators.

In the decades since the U.S. government created the wartime temporary detention camp, “the physical, visual, and olfactory environment of the Portland Assembly Center has been transformed to the point of being unrecognizable.” Following the end of World War II, the site was restored to a livestock facility and eventually converted into the Portland Expo Center. Traces of the detention center can be found if one knows where to look, and Hall A, one of the few remaining structures associated with Japanese incarceration, “invokes the gloom and echoes of the clamor that detainees adapted to almost a century ago.” As the future of the site remains uncertain with plans for substantial renovations, Yanase’s scholarship points to the Japanese American community’s profound connection to that place and to the importance of remembrance through physical memorialization.

In the Spring 2025 issue, authors also engage in a public history discussion about doing history in the Pacific Northwest, explore OHS’s newest exhibition about the history of Portland, and share through a local history spotlight how one museum utilizes its collections for senior enrichment.

The journal of record for Oregon history, the Oregon Historical Quarterly publishes well-researched, well-written history about Oregon and the Pacific Northwest for both scholars and general readers. OHQ amplifies knowledge and perspectives that traditional scholarship has often silenced and sparks relevant conversations about history. It is one of the largest state historical society journals in the United States and is a recognized and respected source for the history of the Pacific Northwest.

A subscription to OHQ is also a benefit of Oregon Historical Society membership. Copies of the Spring 2025 issue and many back issues are available for purchase for $10 in the OHS Museum Store, and select articles from previous issues are also available to read for free online.

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.

TUALATIN, Ore. – The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) strongly denounces President Donald Trump’s executive order, signed last night, attempting to eliminate collective bargaining rights for nearly one million federal workers. No matter what the administration says, this is clearly not about national security. It is a political attack on working people and their unions, plain and simple. 

President Trump is targeting the public servants who care for our veterans, monitor public health, inspect our food and water, and respond to national emergencies. These workers are not a threat to our country; many of them are frontline caregivers and essential personnel who keep our communities safe. Removing their ability to speak out and advocate through their unions puts all of us at greater risk. 

As a union of nurses and health care professionals, we understand how dangerous it is when those on the front lines are silenced. ONA’s members know what it means to face retaliation for telling the truth, especially when that truth is inconvenient for those in power. We also know that unions protect not just workers, but the patients, families, and communities we serve. 

ONA does not represent federal employees, but we recognize this order for what it is: a test run to dismantle union rights nationwide. If the President can erase a million workers’ rights with the stroke of a pen, no worker in America is safe.  

Let’s be clear: this is not about efficiency or safety. This is about silencing the unions that have taken this administration to court and pushed back in the streets. It is retaliation, plain and simple, and it is dangerous. 

ONA stands in full solidarity with federal unions and every worker who is now under threat. The labor movement in Oregon and across the country is united. We will not be silenced. We will not be divided. And we will continue to organize to protect the rights and voices of working people. 

Unions are not a threat to national security. We are a cornerstone of democracy, and we are not going anywhere. 

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 23,000 nurses, and health care professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses, and health care professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all health care professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.

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Portland, Ore., March 27, 2025 – Registration is live for the annual Oregon Spring Cleanup presented by Portland General Electric! With over 100 events already posted on the SOLVE website, now is the time to get involved. Litter cleanups and habitat restoration projects span Portland and SW Washington, the entire Oregon Coast from Astoria to Brookings, the Willamette National Forest, Southern Oregon—including Medford—and all the way to Baker City in Eastern Oregon.

The Oregon Spring Cleanup, celebrating Earth Month, takes place from April 12 to 22, 2025, culminating on Saturday, April 19. Individuals, families, community and corporate groups are encouraged to participate in this collective effort to keep our region clean and beautiful. Volunteers can sign up for existing projects or host their own events with support from SOLVE.

Longtime community partner, Portland General Electric continues to champion environmental volunteerism through SOLVE. As part of PGE’s commitment to environmental stewardship, they partner with SOLVE to bring communities together to provide clean and healthy environments for all.

"Earth Month is great reminder to take action and continue to enhance our communities,” said PGE’s vice president of policy and resource planning, Kristen Sheeran. “This Earth Month, we’re ready to roll up our sleeves with SOLVE and all of the volunteer partners to make a lasting impact on Oregon’s natural spaces."

How to Get Involved

• Sign up: Find a volunteer event near you and register yourself or a group at volunteer.solveoregon.org/
• Lead your own event: SOLVE provides all the necessary resources, including supplies and disposal funds, to make hosting a project easy for you.
• Join the challenge: Rally your school, company, or community group to take part in the Trash Bag Challenge. Participants challenge others to either join an existing SOLVE cleanup or lead their own, sparking friendly competition and community pride - solveoregon.org/challenge

Supply Hubs: Making Coastal Cleanups More Sustainable

At SOLVE, we make it easy to lead a cleanup event. This year, new coastal supply hubs provide an additional way to access event materials, making it even easier to host litter cleanups along the Oregon Coast.

Through a partnership with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and generous support from Knife River, SOLVE has established seven supply hubs along the Oregon Coast. These hubs—located at Cape Lookout, Fort Stevens, Port Orford Heads, South Beach, and Sunset Bay within OPRD parks, along with Heart of Cartm in Nehalem and Washed Ashore in Bandon—are stocked with supplies to support cleanups of up to 20 volunteers, reducing the shipment of single-use plastics to these areas.

Join the Trash Bag Challenge

New this year, SOLVE is also launching the Trash Bag Challenge, inviting schools, businesses, community groups, and organizations to challenge others to either join an existing cleanup or lead their own. This initiative is designed to spark friendly competition and community pride while making a tangible difference in local areas.

The Oregon Spring Cleanup 2025 is made possible by the generous support of Portland General Electric and other event sponsors, including AAA, CareOregon, Clean Water Services, Fred Meyer, Holman Enterprises, KOIN 6, The Oregonian, Lam Research Corporation, Metro, Lithia Driveway, Intel, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Swire Coca-Cola, The Standard, and PepsiCo.

For more information and to sign up, visit www.solveoregon.org/oregon-spring and be part of the collective effort to create a cleaner, greener Oregon.

About SOLVE 

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