The December quarterly meeting of the Advisory Committee to the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) will be held virtually and in person on Wednesday, December 3, in the Auditorium of ODVA, located at 700 Summer Street N.E. in Salem. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. and will be followed by a town hall meeting at 11:30 a.m., which is open to the public.

Established in 1945, the Advisory Committee holds a distinct and fundamental role in advising the director and staff of ODVA. The nine members of the Advisory Committee are military veterans from all corners of the state, appointed by the governor to serve and act as advocates for veteran issues and veteran concerns across Oregon.

Following every quarterly business meeting, the committee holds a town hall inviting the public to raise questions or concerns about broad veteran issues or to share information with the committee and agency director.

Members of the community are also invited to submit written public comments to the committee by emailing odva_vaac@odva.oregon.gov. The Advisory Committee meets quarterly on the first Wednesday of March, June, September and December.

REGISTER TO ATTEND
Please register at https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/b2ce0f46-4c12-4c26-a3a5-d9a9049afbc2@aa3f6932-fa7c-47b4-a0ce-a598cad161cf to attend the business or town hall portion of this meeting. Attendees will be allowed to participate during the town hall portion only and will be invited to turn on their camera and unmute mics during a recorded meeting that will be posted online at a later date.

The December 2025 Veterans Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting Report is available on ODVA’s website here: www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Documents/December%202025%20Advisory%20Committee%20Quarterly%20Meeting%20Report%20FINAL.pdf. More information about the Veteran Advisory Committee can be found online at www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Pages/Advisory-Committee.aspx.

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

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On November 25, 2025, Lincoln County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Sheryl Bachart sentenced Kurtis Fegulia, Jr. (36-year-old) to 120 months (10 years) in the Department of Corrections for disseminating child sexual abuse material, more commonly known as child pornography, in 2024.  

In August 2024, the Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that a social media user had uploaded files that contained videos of child sexual abuse material on a social media platform. Investigators were provided with information regarding the user’s identity and tracked the location of the uploads to Newport, Oregon. The case was then assigned to the Newport Police Department and investigated by Detective Darren Cicerone. Through a series of extensive investigative tools, Detective Cicerone was able to identify Fegulia, Jr. as the individual responsible for uploading multiple videos through the social media platform. Fegulia, Jr. later admitted to uploading child sexual abuse material and indicated the ages of the children involved in the videos were as young as five.  

On November 25, 2025, Fegulia, Jr.  entered a guilty plea to 5 counts of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, felony sex crimes, for knowingly disseminating a visual recording of sexually explicit conduct involving a child while knowing the fact that the creation of the visual recording involved child abuse. Over the course of the investigation, the Newport Police Department received over 33 CyberTips linked to Fegulia, Jr.’s residence, which showed over 700 videos of child sexual abuse material was disseminated by Fegulia, Jr. online in 2024 and 2025.

Prior to imposing the 10-year prison sentence, Judge Bachart emphasized that these types of cases are not just videos. Judge Bachart stated, “The State classifies these cases as a person crime because they involve real children. Even though you did not touch them, these children are being abused, and you watch the abuse and are aroused by it.” Judge Bachart stressed that if there was not a demand for these types of videos due to people like Fegulia, Jr., the abuse would not happen.

This case was prosecuted by District Attorney Jenna Wallace and investigated by Detective Cicerone, Newport Police Department. The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Detective Cicerone for his commitment to investigating crimes against children and for prioritizing investigations into the dissemination of child sexual abuse material to protect children from predators living in our community.

On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, detectives with the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) arrested a Myrtle Creek woman on various drug charges.  Through an ongoing investigation, detectives uncovered information alleging that 46 year old Laquita Twete was dealing methamphetamine. 

At approximately 3:40PM, a Deputy with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Twete’s vehicle.  During the traffic stop, drug detection K-9 “Trapper” alerted to the presence of controlled substances in the vehicle.  A short time later, detectives executed a search warrant on Twete’s vehicle, locating approximately 87.1 grams of suspected methamphetamine.

Detectives then served a search warrant on Twete’s residence in the 300 block of Conrad Street in Myrtle Creek.  At the residence, Detectives located an additional 3.2 grams of suspected methamphetamine and a digital scale consistent with presumed delivery and distribution of controlled substances.

Twete was arrested and taken to the Douglas County Jail and charged with Driving While Suspended or Revoked and three counts each of Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine. 

The Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach.  DINT is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and the Douglas County Board of Commissioners.  DINT is composed of members from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department, Oregon State Police, Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, and the Bureau of Land Management.

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

The County Opportunity Grant Program (COGP) Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting to review grant applications from 9:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. December 8, 2025 via Zoom.

Applicants to the COGP will present their proposed projects for acquiring, planning, developing and rehabilitating county-run camping facilities. The Committee will evaluate and score all applications and create a priority ranking list of projects to be funded. The list will then be forwarded to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission for final review and approval.

A meeting agenda will be posted on the County Opportunity Grant Program web page at https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/pages/GRA-cogp.aspx. A link to view the Zoom meeting will also be posted at the site.

The COGP Advisory Committee consists of seven members who represent counties, recreational vehicle owners, people with disabilities and the general public. They also represent various geographic areas of the state.

The COGP was established in 1983 to direct a portion of revenue from recreational vehicle registration fees to counties for park and recreation sites and programs. All Oregon counties are eligible to apply. The program is administered by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD).

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

Deschutes, Ore. (Nov. 26, 2025)- On Monday, November 24, 2025, at 9:30 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 20, near milepost 51, in Deschutes County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a Freightliner commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Rajinder Kumar (32) of Fresno (CA), was stopped in a jacknifed position, blocking both lanes of travel, with the tractor facing eastbound in the eastbound lane. A westbound Subaru Outback, operated by William Micah Carter (25) of Springfield, struck the trailer of the Freightliner as it was stopped perpendicular to the lanes of travel, at highway speeds.

The operator of the Subaru (Carter) and passenger, Jennifer Lynn Lower (24) of John Day, were declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Freightliner (Kumar) was reportedly uninjured.

The highway was impacted for approximately seven hours during the on-scene investigation. Dark conditions and a lack of active emergency warning equipment is being considered a primary contributor of the crash.

As a result of the on-scene investigation, Kumar was arrested for Criminally Negligent Homicide and Reckless Endangering and lodged in the Deschutes County Jail. No further information is available for release at this time due to the active investigation.

OSP was assisted by Bend Fire and Rescue and ODOT.

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

NW Natural Warms Up Winter with "Fireside Friends" Pet Photo Contest

Customers are invited to share photos of their pets for a chance to win a prize; NW Natural is also supporting The Pongo Fund

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

November 26, 2025  

PORTLAND, Ore. – NW Natural is inviting customers to warm up this winter and celebrate their pets with the launch of the Fireside Friends Sweepstakes. The contest offers the chance to win a prize while also supporting a local charity.

Running now through February 1, 2026, the sweepstakes welcomes customers to share photos of their furry friends enjoying the warmth and comfort of a natural gas fireplace for the chance to win a $200 Chewy gift card.

NW Natural has also pledged a $1,000 donation to The Pongo Fund Pet Food Bank, which helps support people and their pets throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.

How to Enter:

NW Natural customers can enter the sweepstakes via social media in two simple steps:

1. Follow @nwnaturalgas on Instagram or Facebook. (Media can find some of the wonderful pet photos that have already been posted by customers on both platforms!)
2. Post a photo of their pet(s) cozying up by their natural gas fireplace and tag @nwnaturalgas or use the hashtag #nwnaturalgas.

The contest is open now and entries will be accepted until February 1, 2026. For full terms and conditions visit nwnatural.com/FiresideFriends

About NW Natural

NW Natural is a local distribution company that currently provides service to approximately 2 million people in more than 140 communities through approximately 806,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural owns and operates 21.6 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity in Oregon. It is the largest natural gas utility in Oregon and one of the state’s oldest companies.

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Seal Rock, OR — On November 25, 2025, 55-year-old Larry Clunette Boles Jr., of Seal Rock, Oregon, was arrested and booked into the Lincoln County Jail on multiple charges related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Boles faces charges under ORS 163.684 – Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and ORS 163.686 – Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree.

This arrest follows the conclusion of a comprehensive investigation led by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit, in collaboration with the Lincoln City Police Department, Oregon State Police, Toledo Police Department, Newport Police Department, and the Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

The investigation was initiated after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a tip from an electronic service provider that had identified suspected CSAM being distributed on its platform. NCMEC subsequently referred the information to law enforcement.

As part of the investigation, detectives executed multiple subpoenas and search warrants, leading to the seizure and forensic examination of several electronic devices belonging to Mr. Boles. These devices contained evidence of both possession and distribution of CSAM.

“The distribution of images depicting the sexual abuse of children revictimizes individuals who have already endured significant trauma,” said Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Detective Anthony Bettencourt. “We are committed to thoroughly investigating these crimes and pursuing justice for the victims.”

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office extends its gratitude to all partner agencies for their collaboration and continued efforts to protect vulnerable members of our community.

Agenda items include updated rules for waterway authorizations, land management in Wheeler County, and expansion of the South Slough Reserve

SALEM, Ore. – The State Land Board will meet on Wednesday, December 3 at 10:00 a.m. at the Department of State Lands building in Salem.

Agenda items the Land Board will consider include:

• Begin due diligence on a potential land sale of 1,863 acres of the “Hoogie Doogie” rangelands in Wheeler County. Due diligence includes beginning research on the proposed sale and opening a public comment period.
• Decertify 80 acres of forestland in Coos County, adjacent to the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.
  Decertification of the Winchester property from Oregon Department of Forestry management will allow the Reserve to acquire property utilizing federal grant funds and manage the land for long-term research, education, recreation, and protection of natural and cultural resources.
• Adopt updated rules that implement best management practices to protect the health and safety of Oregon-owned waterways and achieve sustainable operations.
  The rules govern leases, licenses and registrations for structures and uses on state-owned submerged and submersible land, and includes updates to fees, compensation, insurance requirements, and other minor updates.

The Land Board will also hear the annual report of the state’s aquatic resource management program and review recent achievements of the Elliott State Research Forest program.

Meeting Details and Agenda

Wednesday, December 3, 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 Tuesday, December 2.

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

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

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

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www.oregon.gov/dsl

SALEM, Oregon— The Drone Rule Advisory Committee will hold its second meeting to review drone use in state parks, discuss goals for safe and responsible operation and begin providing feedback on draft proposed rules for drone takeoff and landing at Oregon State Parks and the ocean shore.

The Rule Advisory Committee will meet for its second meeting 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11. The public can watch the livestream on YouTube on OPRD Director’s Office live channel . A recording will be available after the meeting.

The Rule Advisory Committee includes representatives from recreation user groups, conservation organizations, natural resource specialists and other stakeholders.

Staff will review feedback from the committee, amend the draft as needed and then open the draft rules for public comment this winter. Staff will review public feedback, amend the draft as needed and then present the rules to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission for adoption.

The goal is to have a final set of regulations ready for implementation by Spring of 2026.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) previously discussed drone takeoff and landing in early 2022. OPRD paused the rulemaking process after it generated a lot of public feedback both in support and against the proposed rules.

OPRD convened a work group to draft criteria and maps where drones should be allowed to take off and land at state parks and along the ocean shore.

The work group included representatives from conservation organizations, drone enthusiasts and trail-user groups. It helped develop proposed standards that identify areas where drone use should be permitted or restricted.

The group’s work helped inform the proposed draft rules on drone takeoff and landing now under discussion.

The Junction City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance locating a missing and possibly endangered person.

62-year-old Wade Felton Lloyd, of Junction City, was reported missing on November 20, 2025.  Mr. Lloyd was last seen on November 16^th in the area of Birch Street and 2^nd Avenue in Junction City.  Mr. Lloyd normally stays close to the Junction City area, has close ties to his family, and his only transportation is an older motorized bicycle, which is also missing.

Mr. Lloyd is a slender white male, standing 6 feet tall with brown hair and hazel eyes.  Mr. Lloyd is without his cell phone, wallet, and his medications.  

The Junction City Police have exhausted all leads as to his whereabouts and is hoping that the community might recognize him or recall where they last saw Mr. Lloyd.   If you have information regarding Mr. Lloyd or have seen him on or after November 16^th, 2025, please call the Junction City Police Department at 541-998-1245.

November 25, 2025

Media contacts: 

• Erica Heartquist, OHA, phd.communications@oha.oregon.gov
• Stephanie Condon, ADPC, stephanie.condon@oha.oregon.gov
• Bryant Haley, OLCC, ryant.haley@olcc.oregon.gov" rel="noopener" style="color: rgb(6, 66, 118); text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">bryant.haley@olcc.oregon.gov
• Mindy McCartt, ODOT, tt@odot.oregon.gov" rel="noopener" style="color: rgb(6, 66, 118); text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">mindy.m.mccartt@odot.oregon.gov

Agencies unite to urge Oregonians to ‘Rethink the Drink’ this holiday season

The Rethink the Drink invites open conversation about alcohol, how people can keep Oregon safe this holiday season.

PORTLAND, Ore. -  As Oregonians prepare to celebrate, gather and reconnect with loved ones this holiday season, state agencies renew their call to “Rethink the Drink” - encouraging people to pause, reflect and make mindful and healthy choices when it comes to their alcohol consumption.

Leading this effort is Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Oregon Alcohol & Drug Policy Commission (ADPC) Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission (OLCC) and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Through statewide community outreach, they hope to shift the holiday drinking culture in Oregon to reduce the pressure to drink alcohol during family gatherings or holiday parties.

This year, Rethink the Drink is encouraging people to come together to help one another be healthy and care for their communities. That includes creating healthy environments that support people in their efforts to drink less.

“During celebrations, it’s easy to drink more than we intend to,” says Dr. Tom Jeanne, M.D., M.P.H., deputy state health officer at OHA. “We can support each other by having honest, compassionate conversations about our drinking - not judging, but looking out for one another.”

Holiday events and binge drinking sometimes go hand in hand. That can contribute to unsafe driving and other dangerous behavior. Binge drinking impairs judgement, slows reaction times and increases the likelihood of making fatal decisions.

“We see the consequences of impaired driving all year, but the risks increase around the holidays,” said Ryan Stone, Impaired Driving Program Analyst at ODOT. “If you plan to drink, plan your ride. A text, a call, or a quick rideshare request can prevent a crash, a DUII, or a tragedy. The people you share the holidays with want you to get home safely.”

More Oregon adults drink excessively than most of us realize, more than 1 in 5. Most people in this group are not affected by alcoholism or an alcohol use disorder. However, by drinking excessively, people increase their odds of developing an alcohol use disorder later in life.

Holiday gatherings often involve social drinking, which can lead to binge and heavy drinking, patterns of drinking associated with injury, impaired driving and long-term health risks. Each year, more than 2,500 Oregonians die from alcohol-related causes including eight types of cancer, liver disease, heart disease, memory and mental health issues, sleep disruptions and more.

What People Can Do to Celebrate Mindfully

To help people enjoy the season with their health in mind, the “Rethink the Drink” campaign offers practical strategies:

1. Healthy Hosting:
   • Provide non-alcoholic beverage options.
   • Provide ample food since people drink more when they’re hungry.
   • Avoid asking people why they aren’t drinking or pressuring them to drink more.
2. Pace your drinks:
   • Set a personal drink limit before you arrive.
   • Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or non-alcoholic ones.
   • Consider diluting drinks with ice or low-sugar mixers.

3. Count and plan:
   • Decide ahead of time how many drinks feels “safe” for you.
   • Track how many drinks you have; consider using an app.

4. Plan for a safe ride:
   • If you plan to drink, arrange a designated driver, use a rideshare, or take public transportation.
   • Impaired driving isn’t limited to alcohol. If you’re going to use anything that affects how you feel or think, make a transportation plan and line up a sober driver or another safe way home.

5. Talk about it:
   • Encourage open conversations and ask loved ones how they feel about drinking.
   • Avoid pressuring others to drink; support those who choose not to.

Supporting Everyone

Not everyone drinks, and not everyone who drinks wants to drink a lot. It’s important to create holiday environments that feel safe and inclusive for all.

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol dependence or misuse, confidential help is available: 1-800-923-4357 (Oregon’s substance use support line).

The Risks of Impaired Driving

Alcohol continues to play a major role in fatal and serious-injury crashes across Oregon, especially during the holiday season. Even small amounts of alcohol can affect decision-making and slow reaction time.

But alcohol isn’t the only concern. Impairment can come from any substance that makes you feel different — including cannabis, prescription medications, or combinations of substances. All can affect your ability to drive safely.

That’s why agencies are encouraging Oregonians to make a transportation plan before they drink or use any impairing substance. Planning ahead protects you, your loved ones, and everyone else on the road.

Learn more about impaired driving and Oregon’s safety efforts.  

About Rethink the Drink

Rethink the Drink is a health communications initiative led by the Oregon Health Authority, in partnership with ADPC, OLCC, and ODOT. The campaign invites Oregonians to have mindful conversations about when, how much and why they drink - for themselves, their families and their communities. There are several resources at RethinkTheDrink.com to help people who want to drink less, or to support individuals or their loved ones who might have an alcohol use disorder. You can also find Rethink the Drink on Facebook and Instagram.

JCSO Case 25-6088

MEDFORD, Ore. – The suspect in the November 23 Medford Police Department officer-involved shooting has been released from the hospital and lodged in the Jackson County Jail. The suspect, Shane Wesley Smith, 30, of Medford, received treatment at a local hospital for injuries sustained during the incident and has since been cleared for confinement.

Smith is charged with unlawful use of a weapon, menacing, interference with making a report, attempting to elude police, reckless driving, and driving under the influence of intoxicants (alcohol). The incident will be presented to the Jackson County Grand Jury.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives are leading the investigation. Further information will be released by JCSO or the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office following Grand Jury proceedings. This remains an active and ongoing investigation. No additional information is available at this time.

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ROSEBURG, OR - The Umpqua Community College Performing and Visual Arts present “Holiday Songs and Holiday Sweets”, the Umpqua Singers in concert, on December 10 at 7:00 at the Lang Center on the UCC Campus. The Umpqua Singers, directed by Dr. Jason A. Heald, will perform a program of holiday favorites, served with a variety of desserts, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.  Admission is free with donations encouraged to support the Umpqua Singers upcoming tour in Ireland. For more information, contact 541-440-4691 or music@umpqua.edu.

About Umpqua Community College

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

EUGENE, Ore.—A Springfield, Oregon, man appeared before a U.S. District Court Judge today and pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime for assaulting a victim on the basis of their sexual orientation.

Daniel Andrew McGee, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of a Hate Crime Act Involving an Attempt to Kill.

According to court documents, on the evening of July 5, 2021, McGee met the victim at the victim’s apartment after communicating on the dating application Grindr, an application designed for, and primarily used by, gay men. McGee assaulted the victim over the course of several minutes, striking the victim on the head with a wooden tire thumper. The victim sustained life-threatening injuries during the assault, including serious head wounds.

The investigation revealed McGee had been researching and planning the attack for weeks. For at least one month prior to the attack, McGee searched the internet for homophobic and graphically violent anti-gay material. McGee planned for the attack by purchasing the weapon and other materials from Amazon and searching the internet for suggestions on how to get away with murder.

On November 18, 2021, a federal grand jury in Eugene, Oregon, returned a one-count indictment charging McGee with a Hate Crime Act Involving an Attempt to Kill.

McGee faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on March 3, 2026, before a U.S. District Court Judge.

As part of the plea agreement, McGee has agreed to pay restitution in full to his victim.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Eugene Police Department. Joseph Huynh, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon and Tenette Smith, Trial Attorney for the Civil Rights Division Criminal Section, are prosecuting the case.

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Need to know

• In October, approximately 220 households reported to ODHS that nearly $86,000 worth of SNAP food and TANF cash benefits had been stolen from their EBT cards.
• Take action today to keep your EBT card safe from electronic theft by locking your cards when not in use, blocking out of state and online purchases, and changing your PIN regularly.
• Only use the official ebtEDGE website and mobile app for Apple or Android. ODHS does not guarantee the safety of any other EBT management apps or websites.
• Link to video

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services is encouraging people in Oregon to take action today to protect the SNAP food and TANF cash benefits on their EBT cards from electronic theft like card skimming, card cloning, phishing and other similar methods.

Most theft occurs in the beginning of the month immediately after SNAP and TANF benefits are issued to EBT cards. Criminals use methods like skimming devices, internet scams and fake websites to steal card numbers and personal identification numbers (PIN). Once they have this information, they use online or out-of-state purchases to drain SNAP food and TANF cash benefits from a person’s card.

In October, approximately 220 households reported to ODHS that nearly $86,000 worth of SNAP food and TANF cash benefits had been stolen from their EBT cards. Criminals were blocked from stealing EBT benefits 104 times because people took action to protect their EBT cards.

“People and families in Oregon rely on their SNAP food and TANF cash benefits to help them meet their basic needs,” said Director Liesl Wendt. “Taking simple steps like changing your PIN, locking your cards and blocking online and out-of-state purchases works and keeps your benefits safe. We encourage everyone to do this today.”

ODHS recommends that everyone with an EBT card take these steps to keep their benefits safe:

• Only use the official ebtEDGE website and mobile app for Apple or Android. ODHS does not guarantee the safety of any other EBT management apps or websites.
   
• Freeze your card between uses: When you’re not using your EBT card, consider freezing it as an extra layer of protection. Simply unfreeze it when you’re ready to make a purchase. To do this, visit the ebtEDGE website or use the mobile app and look for "Freeze Card" under "Account Services."
   
• Block out-of-state and online purchases: You have the option to block transactions made outside of Oregon and online purchases to safeguard your card from unauthorized use. To do this, visit the ebtEDGE website or use the mobile app and look for “Protect My Account" under “Account Services." You can remove the blocks later.
   
• Change your PIN regularly: Get into the habit of updating your PIN often. This can help protect your account if someone does gain access to your card number. Here are the ways you can ​change your PIN number:​
  • Call 888-997-4447;
  • Log into the ebtEDGE website.
     
• Take your EBT card to the closest ODHS benefits office​.
   
• Keep your PIN secret: Never share your PIN or write it on your card. Cover the keypad whenever entering your PIN in a public setting. Thieves may use small cameras to capture your PIN entry.
   
• Inspect card readers carefully: Before swiping your card at an ATM or other card reader, check for anything unusual. Skimming devices are often placed on top of existing card readers. If you see anything that looks out of place or tampered with, avoid using it and let the business know.
   
• Monitor your EBT account activity: Make it a habit to check your account regularly for any unusual charges. If you see a charge you didn’t make, report it immediately, cancel your card and request a replacement. Here are the ways you can ​get a new card:​
  • Call the EBT Replacement Line at 1-855-328-6715;
  • Go to an ODHS benefits office​.

• Don’t respond to suspicious texts: If you receive a text message asking for your EBT card number or PIN, ignore it. ODHS will never ask for your information this way.

• Avoid social media scams: Only trust posts and messages about your benefits from official ODHS accounts. ODHS will never ask for your benefits case number, PIN or other card information on social media.
   
• More information is available on the Protect Your EBT Card and Benefits webpage. There is a brochure, flyer and wallet card available in many languages. There are also short videos about using an EBT card, how to replace an EBT card and all the ways to protect your EBT benefits. These are posted in the How-to Videos section of benefits.oregon.gov.

October reports of EBT benefit theft to ODHS

• Number of Oregon households affected: 223
• Number of failed theft attempts because people took steps to protect their EBT cards: 104
• Number of thefts by program: 49 TANF, 559 SNAP
• Dollar amounts of stolen benefits:
  • Total: $85,902
  • TANF (CASH): $17,108
  • SNAP (FOOD): $ 68,794

NOTE: This data represents only what has been reported to the Oregon Department of Human Services and likely undercounts actual instances of EBT theft experienced by people in Oregon.

How to request replacement for TANF benefits

ODHS can replace Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits that are lost due to fraud. TANF families who believe benefits have been stole from their EBT card should contact ODHS to request replacement benefits within 30 days of the benefits being stolen. Information on card safety and how to request replacement TANF benefits can be found online here: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/benefits/Pages/protect.aspx

ODHS cannot replace SNAP benefits

The federal funding to replace benefits ran out on Dec. 21, 2024, and ODHS is no longer authorized to replace stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

About SNAP in Oregon

SNAP is entirely federally funded and helps more than 1 in 6 people in Oregon — about 18 percent of households — buy groceries. This includes children, working families, older adults and people with disabilities.

Every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.50 to $1.80 in local economic activity, driving an estimated $1.6 billion into Oregon’s economy each year.

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PORTLAND, Ore.— Scott E. Bradford has taken the oath of office to remain as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the District of Oregon.

Senior U.S. District Judge Michael W. Mosman administered the oath of office before staff, court personnel, and family. The moment was especially meaningful because Judge Mosman previously served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, and Bradford also clerked for him.

“Being chosen to lead the District of Oregon is a privilege I do not take lightly. I am deeply humbled by the district court’s vote of confidence in me, and I am committed to serving our community alongside remarkable colleagues and agency partners, who dedicate themselves to the mission every day,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “My focus remains on the Department’s priorities: keeping our country safe, upholding the rule of law, and protecting civil rights.”

Attorney General Pamela Bondi previously appointed Bradford as U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon on July 28, 2025.

Bradford has been a federal prosecutor for more than 18 years and has handled all manner of criminal cases, including violent crime, narcotics trafficking, child exploitation, fraud, cyber, and national security.

Bradford joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon in 2009 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and served in a variety of leadership roles within the office, including Chief of the White Collar Unit, Chief of the Economic, National Security, and Cyber Crimes Unit, and Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.

In 2022, Bradford served as the U.S. Department of Justice’s Regional Cybercrime Attaché in Southeast Asia where he trained justice sector partners within the region to combat cybercrime. Before becoming the U.S. Attorney, Bradford was the Acting Chief of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section in the National Security Division in Washington, D.C.

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PORTLAND, Ore. – A century-old-plus suspension bridge that links visitors to the rugged beauty of Washington’s Yakima River Canyon has earned international recognition. The Umtanum Suspension Bridge Rehabilitation Project, led by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with design and engineering support from HDR, was recently named the winner in the New Life category of the 2025 Footbridge Awards in Chur, Switzerland.

Organized and sponsored by Bridge Design & Engineering Magazine, this year’s awards were among the most competitive in the program’s history, with a record number of entries worldwide. For the BLM, the honor underscores the importance of preserving historic features while showing how innovative and creative partnerships can deliver safe, sustainable recreation opportunities.

“Public lands belong to everyone, and access is key to connecting people with these landscapes,” said Stephen Small, Spokane BLM District Manager. “The Umtanum Bridge safeguards a piece of history while ensuring that more than 100,000 annual visitors can safely hike, fish, and explore this special area. Receiving this award is a proud moment for the BLM and a reflection of what’s possible through collaboration with skilled partners like HDR.”

 A bridge between people and place

Spanning Washington’s only Blue-Ribbon trout stream, the 220-foot (67-meter) clear-span suspension bridge has long been both a landmark and a lifeline. Built around 1925, it once carried vehicles across the Yakima River and Northern Pacific railroad tracks to reach homesteads in Umtanum Creek Canyon – many tied to the railroad that still parallels the river. At one time, the bridge even carried Model Ts.

Though several similar suspension bridges once crossed the canyon, Umtanum is the only one that remains. Converted to foot traffic in the mid-1980s, it now connects the BLM’s Umtanum Recreation Area to canyon trails, public lands, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wenas Wildlife Area. It is also the only access point to the west side of the Yakima River along the entire 27-mile canyon, linking visitors to routes like the 8-mile Umtanum Creek Trail and the Skyline Trail from Ellensburg to Selah.

With more than 100,000 annual visitors, Umtanum is one of the BLM’s busiest recreation sites in Washington. In 2024, the agency expanded the site by acquiring 650 acres of private land, adding riparian and upland habitat as well as more space for public enjoyment.

Innovation meets stewardship

By the 2010s, years of wear and storm damage had left the bridge in poor condition. To restore its role as a safe and welcoming landmark, the BLM partnered with HDR on a rehabilitation plan that honored the bridge’s character, protected the river below, and strengthened the crossing for long-term use.

With no original design plans available, HDR engineers relied on rope-and-ladder inspections, detailed surveys, and advanced modeling to assess performance. Their design replaced deteriorated parts with durable, low-impact materials while retaining as much of the historic structure as possible.

BLM employees Thane Syverson, then Spokane District Engineer (now Idaho State Engineer), and Diane Priebe, then Wenatchee Field Office Recreation Planner (now retired), guided the project from planning through rehabilitation. Their leadership ensured the work respected the site’s historic and environmental values while addressing safety and durability.

Construction, completed in July 2021, overcame pandemic-era supply chain disruptions through resourceful substitutions, all while staying on schedule and within the $800,000 budget. The result is a sturdier deck, improved railing, and a bridge ready to serve the community for generations – all delivered with minimal environmental disturbance.

“This was an excellent opportunity to leverage our expertise and leverage innovative tools to identify creative and sustainable approaches that would breathe new life into a historic bridge in a beautiful setting,” said Michael Roberts, HDR project engineer. “The BLM challenged us to identify and develop a solution that was reliable, environmentally responsible, and faithful to the bridge’s heritage. We’re incredibly excited to see the project be recognized on the world stage like this and are honored to share this project’s success with the Team and the BLM.”

 A model for the future

The Footbridge 2025 Award’s jury, consisting of an internationally esteemed panel of bridge engineers, architects, and those passionate for bridges, praised the project for preserving the bridge’s character while revitalizing it for modern use. All in all, a successful example/case study offering inspiration for other projects and assets to strive for.

For the BLM, the recognition affirms its mission to protect cultural resources, provide access to outdoor recreation, and manage America’s shared landscapes for long-term benefit.

“Bridges like Umtanum connect people to history, nature, and each other,” said Small. “This recognition highlights the care we put into stewarding these places and the importance of preserving them so future generations can enjoy the same experiences.”

Now stronger than ever, the Umtanum Suspension Bridge remains one of Kittitas County’s most recognizable landmarks, ready to serve the next century of hikers, anglers, and families who come to discover the beauty of the Yakima River Canyon.

-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.

Lane County residents are encouraged to once again take part in Waste Wise Lane County’s annual “Simplify the Holidays” campaign, running now through New Year’s Day.

Waste Wise Lane County, a part of the Lane County Waste Management Division, has led the campaign since 2022 to help residents and businesses reimagine their holiday traditions, reduce unnecessary waste, and find more meaningful, low-impact ways to celebrate.

“Waste is too often a centerpiece of the holiday season,” said Waste Wise Lane County Waste Reduction Outreach Coordinator Daniel Hiestand. “This campaign is a reminder that it doesn’t have to be that way. With small shifts in habits, we can reduce waste and increase joy.”

According to the Center for Biological Diversity, Americans generate 36 more pounds of waste in December than in other months—roughly the equivalent of throwing away seven computer monitors per person.

A highlight of the campaign is the Holiday Leftover Recipe Contest, returning for its third year. Residents can submit recipes at wastewiselane.org/holiday. Those who share recipes will be automatically entered into a drawing for some great prizes, with contest winners announced in early January.

This year’s prizes include: Lovely All Day Cafe and BRING gift certificates, free enrollment in Oregon State University Extension Master Food Preserver workshops, and a collection of sustainable products from Main Street Market.

Follow the campaign on Waste Wise Lane County’s social media pages @WasteWiseLaneCounty on Facebook and Instagram.

About Waste Wise Lane County

Waste Wise Lane County— a part of the Lane County Waste Management Division—empowers residents, schools, and businesses with education, tools, and resources that can be used to reduce waste, conserve resources, and live more sustainably. For more information, visit lanecountyor.gov/wastewise.

About Simplify the Holidays

Simplify the Holidays is an award-winning program of the Center for Biological Diversity. Simplify the Holidays seeks to empower individuals and families to be more conscious of the impacts of holiday traditions and, in doing so, reconnect with meaningful and lasting celebrations. Learn more at simplifytheholidays.org.

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland, Oregon, woman made her initial appearance today after allegedly assaulting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Tigard, Oregon.

Summer Shepherd, 37, has been charged by criminal complaint with Assaulting a Federal Officer.

According to court documents, on November 23, 2025, ICE officers were in Tigard executing an arrest of an individual. Shepherd drove up to where the officers were making the arrest and pushed an officer in the chest, causing the officer to stumble back. The officer walked back to his vehicle and closed the door. Shepherd proceeded to strike the vehicle with her hands, denting the car. Shepherd yanked the door open and when the officer put his hand out to prevent Shepherd from coming inside, she slammed the door hitting the officer’s left arm. With the help of additional officers, Shepherd was apprehended.

Shepherd made her first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.  She was ordered released pending further court proceedings.

Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon is prosecuting the case.

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

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland, Oregon, man made his initial appearance today after allegedly making violent threats at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in South Portland.

John Paul Cupp, 45, has been charged by criminal complaint with Threats Made Against a Federal Law Enforcement Officer.

“Threats of violence against the brave members of law enforcement and their families will not be tolerated, said U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to holding those accountable who threaten and intimidate those who protect our communities, and we will continue to prosecute criminal threats of violence to the fullest extent of the law.”    

“Threats to law enforcement personnel have absolutely no place in our community,” said Acting Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Portland Special Agent in Charge Matt Torres. “Attempts to intimidate those sworn to protect the American people and uphold our Constitution degrade efforts to keep all of us safe. The FBI will use all investigative means available to us to seek out and arrest anyone using violent rhetoric to express themselves.” 

According to court documents, on October 14, 2025, Cupp began yelling insults at law enforcement officers as they were approaching a crowd. Cupp threatened to kill law enforcement officers and sexually assault their wives.  

On November 3, 2025, Cupp posted a video online reiterating the same threats to federal agents and their wives. On November 13, 2025, Cupp continued posting violent threats online to officers and their family.

Cupp is a prolific producer of online content and regularly posts aggressive rhetoric, calls for war against the United States, antisemitic threats, and threats of violence.

Since June 13, 2025, the United States Attorney’s Office has charged 40 defendants with federal crimes for offenses committed near ICE facilities, including assaulting federal officers, failure to comply, and depredation of government property.

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

The FBI is investigating the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon is prosecuting the case.

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

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Josephine County, Ore. (24 Nov. 2025)- On Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 2:04 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 5, near milepost 62, in Josephine County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a Chevrolet S10, operated by Annette Dea Dimmick (34) of Grants Pass, was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes for unknown reasons and struck a northbound Volvo commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by David Michael Jellison (68) of Alliance (OH), head-on.

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

The operator of the Volvo (Jellison) and passenger, Ceejay Clay (29) of Warren (OH), suffered reported minor injuries and were transported to an area hospital.

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

OSP was assisted by the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Rural Metro Fire, Grants Pass Fire, and ODOT.

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

Workers File Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against Legacy; Invite Executives Back to the Bargaining Table “We’ll bring the turkey, the sides and the pumpkin pie.”

(Portland, Ore.) – The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) has filed an unfair labor practice charge against Legacy Health for illegally refusing to meet with advanced practice providers (APPs) and come to a fair contract agreement to prevent a strike. While Legacy has told workers, “We have been in active labor contract bargaining with staff and continue to work in good faith to create a contract that is beneficial to all parties.” In fact, Legacy executives and outside lawyers walked away from the bargaining table Nov. 20 and have said they would not continue contract discussions; a violation of federal law. 

The 135 advanced practice providers (APPs) at Legacy Health have offered to meet with Legacy executives every day leading up to a strike in order to reach a fair agreement that protects patients, enables Legacy to recruit and retain skilled caregivers, ends inequitable practices like unpaid work and averts the need for a strike. If Legacy continues illegally refusing to meet with healthcare providers, a strike will start Dec. 2.

“We’re fighting for a fair contract to give every patient what they deserve: shorter wait times, more available appointments and continuity with the caregivers you know and trust,” said Leigh Warsing, PA and ONA bargaining team member at Legacy. “We’re ready to reach a fair agreement that improves patient care and avoids a strike, but we need Legacy executives to come to the table.”

“We’ll bring the turkey, the sides and the pumpkin pie.” Warsing added. “Legacy executives just have to show up.”

• Click here to watch APPs press conference on Nov. 21 

The APPs at Legacy include nurse practitioners (NPs), physician associates (PAs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) who care for patients in the Portland metro area and SW Washington. They are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) which represents more than 3,500 frontline healthcare providers at hospitals and clinics throughout the Legacy Health system. 

While not unique, Legacy’s illegal refusal to meet with healthcare workers is unusual. Multiple Oregon hospitals and health systems, including Kaiser Permanente and St. Charles Bend, met with caregivers in the days leading up to a strike and reached fair agreements which prevented them. In recent years, ten California hospitals and health systems have also reached similar agreements in the 10 days prior to strikes. Multiple hospitals and health systems in New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois have also continued talks with frontline healthcare workers in the days before a strike and successfully reached agreements which prevented strikes from occurring. 

Community members can visit www.OregonRN.org/RespectAPPs to learn more about ongoing negotiations, sign a community petition in support of the APPs, and stay informed about the impact of the potential strike.

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What: SAIF will be presenting a free half-day seminar on agricultural safety and health on Friday, December 5.

Who should attend: The seminar is designed primarily for people working in agriculture but is open to anyone interested in ag safety and health, they don’t have to be insured by SAIF.

When: Friday, December 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lunch is included.

Where: The Lane Events Center located at 796 West 13^th Ave.  

More information: Below and at saif.com/agseminars. Photos from previous seminars are available by request. 

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SAIF kicking off free fall and winter ag safety seminars

SAIF is once again visiting cities across the state to offer free agriculture safety sessions.

SAIF has offered agricultural safety seminars for nearly 30 years, helping Oregon’s farm owners, managers, and workers stay safe in one of the most hazardous industries.

The seminars are designed primarily for people working in agriculture but are open to anyone interested in safety and health—they don't have to be insured by SAIF.

SAIF is conducting 31 free ag safety seminars in 16 cities across Oregon. Seminars will continue through March and 10 of the seminars will be presented entirely in Spanish. 

This year's seminars focus on four topics:

• Machine guarding and energy control
• Fire code on the farm
• Respiratory programs
• Making the most of safety committee meetings

SAIF will also host online webinars in both January and March in English and Spanish. 

In-person seminars will be in Bandon, Central Point, Clackamas, Corvallis, Eugene, Hermiston, Hillsboro, Hood River, Klamath Falls, Madras, Mt. Angle, Ontario, Pendleton, Salem, The Dalles, and Wilsonville.

Spanish seminars will be held in Central Point, Clackamas, Hermiston, Hillsboro, Hood River, Madras, Mt. Angel, Salem, The Dalles, and Wilsonville. 

All will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and lunch will be provided.

Employers with small ag businesses who attend the seminar, or watch the webinars, will meet OSHA's instructional requirement—one of four requirements that exempt small agricultural operations from random OSHA inspections.

Four hours of continuing education credits are available from the Landscape Contractors Board. Producer continuing education credit hours for licensed insurance agents are pending approval by the Department of Consumer and Business Services.

More information—including registration details—can be found at www.saif.com/agseminars.

About SAIF

SAIF is Oregon’s not-for-profit workers’ compensation insurance company. For more than 100 years, we’ve been taking care of injured workers, helping people get back to work, and striving to make Oregon the safest and healthiest place to work. For more information, visit the About SAIF page on saif.com.

What: SAIF will be presenting a free half-day seminar on agricultural safety and health on Thursday, December 4.

Who should attend: The seminar is designed primarily for people working in agriculture but is open to anyone interested in ag safety and health, they don’t have to be insured by SAIF.

When: Thursday, December 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lunch is included.

Where: The Auditorium at the Benton County Event Center and Fairgrounds, located at 110 SW 53^rd St.

More information: Below and at saif.com/agseminars. Photos from previous seminars are available by request. 

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SAIF kicking off free fall and winter ag safety seminars

SAIF is once again visiting cities across the state to offer free agriculture safety sessions.

SAIF has offered agricultural safety seminars for nearly 30 years, helping Oregon’s farm owners, managers, and workers stay safe in one of the most hazardous industries.

The seminars are designed primarily for people working in agriculture but are open to anyone interested in safety and health—they don't have to be insured by SAIF.

SAIF is conducting 31 free ag safety seminars in 16 cities across Oregon. Seminars will continue through March and 10 of the seminars will be presented entirely in Spanish. 

This year's seminars focus on four topics:

• Machine guarding and energy control
• Fire code on the farm
• Respiratory programs
• Making the most of safety committee meetings

SAIF will also host online webinars in both January and March in English and Spanish. 

In-person seminars will be in Bandon, Central Point, Clackamas, Corvallis, Eugene, Hermiston, Hillsboro, Hood River, Klamath Falls, Madras, Mt. Angle, Ontario, Pendleton, Salem, The Dalles, and Wilsonville.

Spanish seminars will be held in Central Point, Clackamas, Hermiston, Hillsboro, Hood River, Madras, Mt. Angel, Salem, The Dalles, and Wilsonville. 

All will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and lunch will be provided.

Employers with small ag businesses who attend the seminar, or watch the webinars, will meet OSHA's instructional requirement—one of four requirements that exempt small agricultural operations from random OSHA inspections.

Four hours of continuing education credits are available from the Landscape Contractors Board. Producer continuing education credit hours for licensed insurance agents are pending approval by the Department of Consumer and Business Services.

More information—including registration details—can be found at www.saif.com/agseminars.

About SAIF

SAIF is Oregon’s not-for-profit workers’ compensation insurance company. For more than 100 years, we’ve been taking care of injured workers, helping people get back to work, and striving to make Oregon the safest and healthiest place to work. For more information, visit the About SAIF page on saif.com.

Four steps to a happy (and healthy) holiday meal

Lane County Youth Services invites the community to the 16^th annual FREE community holiday meal on Wednesday, December 3. The meal, which is open to everyone, is from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Lane County Youth Services (2727 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Eugene) and includes free food boxes to take home and a free raffle for prizes.

“The meal means so much to our students, our staff and so many community members who come back year after year to share a holiday meal with us,” said the event organizer, Senior Juvenile Justice Supervisor Shellye Reynoso. “Our students especially get to show off their culinary skills and see how their efforts serve people around them.”

Food for the event is prepared and served by students in the MLK Education Center Culinary Arts Program. Students are taught a wide variety of culinary, catering, and workplace skills. Students work alongside professionals who mentor and supervise them to prepare three meals a day and small and large caterings. More than 400 community members were served during last year’s meal.

The event relies on donations to help provide the food, sponsor the food boxes, and provide raffle prizes.

About the MLK Education Center

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Education Center serves middle and high school students who have an active case with Lane County Youth Services. This program is a collaboration between Youth Services and the Lane Education Service District (Lane ESD). In addition to academics, the MLK Education Center provides vocational opportunities, including in the culinary arts. The Culinary Arts Program offers youth the opportunity to learn different jobs involved in food service and catering.

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The Lebanon Fire District responded to a report of an RV fire on Fairview Rd. in the 32000 block. Upon arrival, units found flames shooting through the roof of the RV. Crews swiftly extinguished the fire. Fortunately, the family was not home at the time. A neighbor noticed the flames and acted quickly to rescue the family's pets before they were harmed. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

PORTLAND, Ore.— The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon filed a civil forfeiture complaint today against two properties located in Provo, Utah, purchased as part of an alleged multi-layered scheme to defraud the United States and a nonprofit organization.

According to the complaint, from July 2020 through May 2025, Benjamin Young, 39, of Provo, Utah, used his position as Financial Manager for a non-profit organization to gain access to its financial accounts and embezzle funds, including federally backed Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans intended to support payroll and essential operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. He then used the funds as part of his purchase of a $3.5 million commercial office suite in Provo in the name of Square the Books, a separate company he controlled, and leased the property back to the non-profit organization.

To conceal the origin of the funds, Young allegedly fabricated a $2.5 million short-term loan and used the fictitious debt to secure a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan under false pretenses. While Young certified that the proceeds from the SBA loan would repay the short-term loan, the funds used by Young to buy the commercial property actually came from the diverted PPP loan proceeds and other funds Young diverted from his employer. Young is alleged to have laundered the SBA loan proceeds and transferred the funds to his personal bank accounts, using a portion to purchase a second property – a $570,000 condominium in Provo.

Based on the complaint, the United States will seek to forfeit the two properties.

The case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General.  The civil forfeiture action is being handled by Christopher Cardani, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. 

The accusations in the complaint, and the description of the complaint, constitute only allegations that certain property is subject to forfeiture. The United States must prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the property is subject to forfeiture.

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November 21, 2025

Contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

The West Coast Health Alliance Stands with Scientific Evidence: Vaccines Are Not Linked to Autism

The West Coast Health Alliance continues to strongly recommend vaccines to protect our children, noting that rigorous research of millions of people in multiple countries over decades provides high quality evidence that vaccines are not linked to autism. The Alliance is deeply concerned about inaccurate claims to the contrary recently posted on the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.  

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with multiple contributing genetic and environmental factors. Suggesting it stems from any single cause, such as vaccination, misleads families who deserve accurate guidance. It is not only a disservice to families seeking clarity about vaccines but also potentially harmful to autistic individuals and their families.

Vaccines are thoroughly tested and remain one of the most import ant tools for preventing infectious diseases. Public health guidance on immunization must be grounded in credible, evidence-based science to help parents and caregivers who may be receiving conflicting or inaccurate messages about immunization.

The Alliance encourages families to seek information from trusted health care providers and reputable medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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State of Oregon v. Sergio Reyes Aguila

Marion County Man Sentenced in Pedestrian Related Hit and Run

Marion County:  25CR03347 and 25CR35392

Salem, OR – November 21, 2025 – On November 18, 2025, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Jodie A. Bureta sentenced Sergio Reyes Aguilar (36), to 13-1/2 years in the Oregon Department of Corrections for Manslaughter in the First Degree, Failure to Perform Duties of a Driver, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle.

On January 16, 2025, Salem Police officers responded to a call pertaining to a hit and run traffic fatality involving a pedestrian. The victim, Brian Coulson (56), was struck by a vehicle and pronounced deceased near where the accident occurred near the intersection of Lancaster Dr. NE and Beverly Ave. NE.

Approximately one hour later, Salem Police located the defendant and his vehicle on Cordon Road. The vehicle had sustained significant front-end damage. A blood trail extending roughly 2,000 feet – from the point of the collision to where the body was located – revealed the path of the incident. The defendant later admitted that he was driving the vehicle and swerved to avoid a pedestrian in the roadway, believing he had struck a traffic cone. In reality, he had struck Coulson. The defendant then drove with Coulson’s body on the hood of his car before the victim rolled off, and the defendant fled the scene.

After being arrested and charged for the crimes, the defendant’s bail was set at $500k. The defendant posted bail and was released from custody. Six months later, in June, 2025, he was arrested again for driving a stolen vehicle where he attempted to flee on foot. He was found in possession of methamphetamine.

“Traffic fatalities are preventable tragedies. This case is a reminder of the consequences of careless decisions,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney, Brendan Murphy. “Our office is committed to addressing traffic violations and protecting every member of this community.”

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys David Wilson and Mae Orawiec, who wish to thank the dedicated officers of the Salem Police Department for their thorough investigation.

In Marion County, traffic related fatalities continue to be a significant concern. Drivers are encouraged to avoid driving impaired or distracted and to stay alert at all times.

About Marion County District Attorney’s Office

The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for seeking justice through promoting accountability for criminal offenders; interpreting, enforcing, and executing law; responding to the concerns of victims and the public; and working cooperatively with members of the justice system.

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The Oregon State Marine Board’s staff recently installed new signs on the Siletz River to raise awareness of the significant cultural, ecological, and social values that exist for the local community. The “Respect the River” campaign encourages boaters to be mindful of their boat operations and share space with other recreators, especially during periods of heavy use.

Signs are posted at the following boating access sites:
 

• Strome Park
• Jack Morgan Park
• Ojalla Bridge Slide
• Old Mill Park
• Hee Hee Illahee
• Twin Bridges Park Ramp
• Moonshine Park Ramp

The Marine Board traditionally directs staff to work with boaters in local communities by spreading awareness through education campaigns, signage, and marine law enforcement contacts with a period of evaluation before implementing new rules for boat operations.

Last July, the Oregon State Marine Board convened a rule advisory committee (RAC) in response to a petition submitted in February 2025 by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. The petition asks the Marine Board to consider prohibiting all motorboats upstream of Jack Morgan Park to protect the riverbanks from motorboat wake, protect native fish habitat, and improve mixed-use boating safety.

The agency continues to gather data from subject matter experts and will evaluate the education and outreach efforts through the fall and winter fisheries. Marine Board staff will update the board and ask for further direction during its next quarterly meeting, scheduled for January 29, in Salem.

Find more information on the Siletz River rule advisory committee activities: https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/info/Pages/Rulemaking-and-Public-Notices.aspx.

-End-

JCSO Case 25-6044

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies responded this morning to a two-vehicle crash involving a school bus. ECSO 911 Dispatch received the call at 7:11 a.m. on Friday, November 21, reporting multiple injuries at the intersection of Newland Road and Truax Road in rural Central Point.

JCSO deputies, Oregon State Police Troopers, and Jackson County Fire District 3 personnel arrived on scene. The crash resulted in serious injuries to two adults on the Jackson County School District 6 bus. Both were transported to a local hospital, where they remain in stable condition. One child was on the bus at the time and suffered minor injuries. There were no reported injuries to those in the passenger truck.

The Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team responded to investigate. According to the preliminary investigation, a Toyota Tundra traveling north on Truax Road ran a stop sign and struck the westbound school bus on Newland Road. The STAR Team is investigating the circumstances that led to the crash. Jackson County Roads closed the intersection while the STAR Team was on scene.

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

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Nurse practitioners, physician associates, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists treat patients in Legacy hospitals and clinics.

(Portland, Ore.) — At a press conference this morning, advanced practice providers (APPs) from Legacy Health—represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA)—announced that they delivered a formal strike notice to Legacy executives. The notice informs management that 135 APPs across the Legacy Health system will begin an open-ended strike on December 2, 2025, at 6 a.m., if Legacy fails to reach a fair contract agreement.

Legacy continues to lag behind what Kaiser and OHSU offer their APPs in total compensation and will struggle to recruit and retain top frontline caregivers unless it makes meaningful movement at the bargaining table. Many Legacy APPs aren’t even compensated for the administrative work they’re required to complete, a situation that underscores the deep inequities they are fighting to fix.

• Click here to watch ONA APP’s press conference. 

The APPs include nurse practitioners (NPs), physician associates (PAs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) who provide direct patient care in Legacy hospitals and clinics throughout the Portland Metro Area and in SW Washington. 

“We are striking because we want our exceptional healthcare providers to continue caring for our community. Our team has made Legacy a place patients can trust. With Legacy’s current contract offer, my colleagues will leave for better-paying, better-supported jobs elsewhere—leaving patients with fewer, less experienced providers when they need us the most,” said Leigh Warsing, PA and ONA bargaining team member at Legacy. “Legacy management needs to return to the table and negotiate a fair contract that retains experienced providers and protects the safety of every patient who comes through our doors.”

ONA has offered to meet with Legacy every day leading up to the strike, but Legacy has refused to meet. APPs remain ready, willing, and able to negotiate around the clock to reach an agreement and avert a strike.

Reasons for the strike: 

• The current proposal from Legacy keeps APP wages well behind APPs at other area health systems.  
• APPs are routinely working unpaid hours to deliver patient care, complete required administrative tasks, and during patient hand-offs. 
• APPs should be paid for holidays and weather closures and not have to use their annual paid leave (which should be used for vacation/personal needs) to make their paychecks whole.

APPs at Legacy formed their union in December 2023 and have been in contract negotiations since May 2024.

Healthcare workers have provided Legacy more than 10-days advance notice of the strike to give Legacy time to make alternate arrangements for patients and determine what services they will continue to provide.  

Legacy Refuses to Continue Bargaining 

On Thursday, November 20, Legacy executives and their hired law firm walked away from bargaining, telling APPs they would not continue negotiations because of the strike notice. APPs have offered to meet every day to reach an agreement and avoid a strike.

Picket lines will be established at Legacy Good Samaritan and Legacy Emanuel hospitals from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 2. Starting December 3, picket lines will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. This is an open-ended strike.

Community members can visit OregonRN.org/RespectAPPs to learn more about ongoing negotiations, sign a community petition in support of the APPs, and stay informed about the impact of the potential strike.

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The Oregon State Marine Board received an application to renew a Special Use Device Permit, which was issued to the Oregon Association of Rowing for a buoyed racecourse on Dexter Reservoir in Lane County. The renewal proposes dates for installing and removing special use devices (cables and buoys) for the 2025 and 2026 rowing seasons.

Description of the Buoyed Racecourse

The raising and lowering of the entire course includes the installation of:

• Large orange buoys mark the course every 500 meters (a total of 10 buoys)
• Lateral cables cross the course at the start and finish and every 500 meters
• Lane lines consisting of cables suspended 4 feet below the surface of the water.
• Small can buoys are attached by wires to the lane lines. These consist of red can buoys first 250 meters at the start and last 250 meters to finish, and white “can” buoys the 1500 meters between the start and finish.
• Medium-sized red buoys are located at the eastern and western ends of the lanes. 

When the full course is up, it consists of 8 racing lanes, 13.5 meters apart, and 2,000 meters long.

The course extends from the Covered Bridge on the east to the non-motorized watercraft dock near the dam on the west. Installation occurs in phases, beginning December 6 – 21, 2025.

The Marine Board is soliciting written public comments exclusively relating to the 2,000-meter buoy course as it relates to the size of the waterbody, season of use, impacts to adjacent properties, potential for user conflicts, and other factors as they relate to public health, safety, and welfare.

The comment period closes December 5, 2025, at 11:55 pm. Following the closing of the comment period, the agency will evaluate the application and consider the public comments in deciding whether to issue a permit.

Written comments can be submitted by email to .cooper@boat.oregon.gov">jennifer.cooper@boat.oregon.gov or by U.S. mail to: Jennifer Cooper, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Oregon State Marine Board, 435 Commercial Street NE, Salem, OR 97301.

To view Public Notices, visit: http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/info/Pages/Rulemaking-and-Public-Notices.aspx.

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Tillamook State Forest—An unusually large illegal dump site in the Tillamook State Forest has been cleaned up thanks to the work of adults in custody (AICs) from South Fork Forest Camp (SFFC).

“It was a big mess and a risk to the public and the environment,” said Zach Rabe, the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Tillamook District Operations Coordinator. “The South Fork crew hauled off 12 dump trailers full of garbage.”

When the SFFC crews work on illegal dump site cleanups it’s typically a one- or two-day task.

“This one site took us a week,” said Chad Powell, Institution Work Programs Coordinator at SFFC. “It looked like someone took the entire contents of their house and put it in the woods. Even though this is dirty and kind of gross work, the AICs took pride in working fast and loading the trailer efficiently to make as few trips as possible.”

While AICs wear basic protective equipment when handling materials, it is important to ensure that more dangerous substances are not present. Before the crew could begin the cleanup, law enforcement swept the camp for hazardous materials.

“Safety is a top concern when we remove any illegal dump site—we just don’t know what is in these sites,” said Rabe. “If any hazardous materials are found, then we must hire HAZMAT contractors who wear full personal protective equipment. Those types of cleanups are very expensive.”

None was found at this site on Fox Ridge Road off State Highway 6, so SFFC crews could do the work. Even so, Rabe estimated it would end up costing $8,000 to remove all the junk.

Illegal dumping in Oregon’s State Forests is a growing and expensive problem. 

“We are not sure why, but since 2021 we have seen a lot more illegal dumping,” said Rabe.  “For example, we would typically find just one or two abandoned vehicles in our district each year. Now we are seeing around 10 a year.”

Those cars and large RVs are expensive and difficult to remove.

“Some are burned out, and most are in remote areas, so it is hard to find towing companies willing to do the work,” said Rabe. “When they are able to be accessed for removal, getting them out of the forest costs around $3,700 for an RV and about $550 for a car.”

Although ODF workers find some dump sites and abandoned vehicles, many are reported by concerned citizens.

“If you see a dump site or abandoned vehicle, take a photo and note the location and contact us,” said Rabe. 

The dumping problem has grown so much and is so difficult to track that ODF just went live with a new mapping system to keep better track of garbage, vehicles and vandalism.

“We just started using the new Vandalism Activity Tracking System last week,” said Rabe.  “It is a field map-based system that allows us to plot points and mark whether it is a garbage, vehicle or vandalism act that we need to take some action to remediate.”

With the new tool and better tracking, the Tillamook district and other ODF districts should be able to budget better for cleanup costs.

“This should allow us to better understand this growing problem and hopefully find more funding, whether through our budget or by applying for grants, to fix these problems.”

Back at South Fork Forest Camp, which is jointly owned and operated by the Oregon Departments of Corrections and Forestry, the AICs do much more for state forests than just cleanups.

“Nearly all of our 120 or so AICs are trained in wildfire suppression—and are assigned to  10-person crews to fight wildfires, we have workshops that supply all the wooden signs for state forests, they are a key part of the recreation program helping to maintain trails and doing building projects at campgrounds, there is a fish hatchery on site and much more,” said Powell.

Not only does SFFC provide cost effective, skilled AICs for state forests, but it gives the AICs a great opportunity to improve their job skills.

“One of our main objectives is to help reduce recidivism by modeling pro social behavior and teach work skills that help adults in custody be productive citizens upon release,” said Powell. “We are doing that here every day and setting these men up for a chance at a successful future.”

Go here for more information about SFFC.

To report vandalism, garbage or an abandoned vehicle in ODF’s Tillamook District call (503) 842-2545.  

To find other ODF district contact info go here.

Go here for more on State Forests.

Polk County, Ore. (Nov. 21, 2025)- On Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 2:56 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 51, near milepost 4, in Polk County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a southbound Ford Ranger, operated by Kyle Edward Maldonado (23) of Keizer, left the roadway for unknown reasons and rolled down a slope.

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

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

OSP was assisted by the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Polk County Fire, Independence Police Department, and ODOT.

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

EMBARGOED UNTIL 10 A.M. NOVEMBER 21, 2025

WHAT: Advanced practice providers (APPs) from Legacy Health will hold a press conference to discuss their notice of an open-ended strike starting Tuesday, December 2 at 6 a.m. Following prepared remarks, speakers will take questions from the press.

APPs delivered their formal strike notice to Legacy management on November 20 after more than 18 months at the bargaining table. Since APPs voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike on October 14, 2025, they have met with Legacy management seven times in an effort to reach a fair contract. Instead of continued engagement, Legacy’s hired legal team told APPs they were walking away from negotiations and would not consider any additional proposals.

Despite Legacy’s refusal to continue bargaining, APPs have offered bargaining dates and remain fully committed to reaching an agreement and preventing a work stoppage. Legacy’s legal team has made it clear they will not return to the table during the legally-required notice period—a choice that brings the health system closer to an avoidable strike.

The APPs are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA). They joined the statewide organization in December 2023.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 21, 2025  

WHERE: Oregon Nurses Association, 18765 SW Boones Ferry Rd., Tualatin, OR. 3rd Floor

WHO: APPs who are part of the Legacy Downtown/Specialties Bargaining Unit 

• Becky Berman, NP 
• April Callister, PA 
• Melissa Dolbec, NP 
• Leigh Warsing, PA 

WHY: Legacy continues to lag behind regional healthcare systems like Kaiser and OHSU in APP compensation including benefits—putting the organization at risk of losing top frontline caregivers unless it makes meaningful movement at the bargaining table. APPs are one of the fastest-growing professions in healthcare. They work alongside physicians to expand access, reduce wait times, and ensure patients receive timely, high-quality care.

Despite this critical role, Legacy does not offer competitive wages, and some APPs are now considering leaving the system. Many are not even compensated for the administrative work required of them—an inequity that highlights the systemic issues APPs are fighting to address.

The 135 APPs preparing to strike include nurse practitioners (NPs), physician associates (PAs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) who provide direct patient care across the Portland Metro Area and Southwest Washington. 

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