Lane County Parks invites the public to celebrate the reopening of the improved North Jetty recreation area in Florence with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, November 19.

Lane County commissioners, park staff, project partners, and community members will gather to mark the opening of the park following major improvements that enhance safety, accessibility, and the overall visitor experience at this popular coastal recreation area.

The project included reconstruction of two parking lots, the addition of vault restrooms, and other visitor amenities. These improvements provide enhanced public access to the Oregon Coast and support recreation opportunities for residents and visitors.

The project was made possible through the voter-approved Lane County Parks Levy.

These improvements represent an investment in public access, visitor experience, and safety,” said Brett Henry, Lane County Parks division manager. “Thanks to voter support for the Parks Levy and our long-term lease with the Department of State Lands, we are able to enhance public access and recreation opportunities at North Jetty. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the improved park.”

Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to tour recent improvements at Harbor Vista Campground, including an upgraded restroom and shower facility and new hiker-biker campsites.

Event Details

What: North Jetty Park Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, followed by a Harbor Vista Campground Tour

When: November 19, 11:00 a.m.

Where: North Jetty Main Lot, N Jetty Road, Florence, Oregon

Who: Open to the public

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ROSEBURG, Ore. – Lone Rock Logging, based in Roseburg, is one of three logging companies chosen recently as Operator of the Year for their respective region of Oregon. The Southwest Oregon regional advisory committee to the Oregon Board of Forestry selected Lone Rock last month. The firm and two other logging company regional recipients will be recognized in Salem at the January meeting of the Board. The other honorees are: 

• Eastern Oregon — Wood River Timber, Inc., headquartered in Klamath Falls, Ore.

• Northwest Oregon — Iron Horse Logging, Inc., out of Mapleton, Ore. in Lane County

The award recognizes forest operators who, while harvesting timber or doing other forestry work, have a track record of protecting natural resources and improving forest health at a level that consistently meets or exceeds requirements of the Oregon Forest Practices Act . The Act requires people to manage forests responsibly and protect streams and water quality, protect and enhance habitat, and reduce landslide risks. The law also requires landowners to replant forests after harvesting.  

Videos about each of the three Operators of the Year and three Merit Award winners can be viewed on the ODF website at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Working/Pages/default.aspx 

Honors earned for logging work in SW Oregon 

Lone Rock Logging was chosen as Operator of the Year for the Southwest Oregon Region for their track record of meeting the highest standards of the Oregon Forest Practices Act. In particular, they were cited for successfully working under new Forest Practices Act rules requiring wider stream buffers to be protected as well as new equipment limitation zones on draws leading to fish-bearing streams.  

Lone Rock took extra efforts to protect the retained trees without damaging them while running cables through the tops. They did not break a bunch of limbs or damage tops despite having to make multiple yarding corridor changes through trees in the buffer. They succeeded by using several harvesting practices and preplanning cutting to position logs where the yarding equipment could reach them without damaging the leave trees. These practices protected thousands of feet of protected tree buffers along a wetland and similar retention zones in hillside draws.

Leaving trees in those stands served various purposes, including protecting soil from erosion and downstream water from sediments. Trees left standing would also be available when they eventually fell over to deliver woody debris for future fish habitat. To do so, Lone Rock had to set up multiple yarding sites and haul logs up to landings.

One innovation the company is trialing is the use of synthetic cable as an extension to the traditional, heavy steel cable. The lighter cable is less likely to damage trees when it is passing logs through a buffer.

ODF Forest Resources Division Chief Josh Barnard said, “the selection committees had excellent candidates this year when choosing who they would honor, all of whom showed they went to great lengths to protect the forest environment.”

Barnard said nominees showed they could meet the challenge of working under new harvesting rules. The updated Oregon Forest Practices Act rules provide more protection for forest resources, such as wider buffers for fish-bearing streams and retaining more trees in especially steep areas.  

“Many of the harvest sites this year had terrain that was quite challenging,” said Barnard. “The Operators of the Year showed extraordinary care and diligence to protect slopes and streams. We’re proud to recognize those efforts.” 

Merit Award earned by another Douglas County-based firm 

C and M Timberland Resources, LLC, is headquartered in Glide, Ore., east of Roseburg. They earned a Merit Award for placing a large culvert in a deep ravine on a concrete base they built, then piling tens of feet of dirt on top to create a stable crossing for logging trucks, then faced the whole thing with boulders to prevent erosion. They also built a bridge over a fish stream, hauling in 52-foot long sections on a winding logging road. Their work improved the channel and stabilized the streambank on either side. On the same parcel they also had to excavate a steep forested hillside to put in a logging road, all while successfully preventing sediment from reaching a nearby stream.

Merit Awards were also given to two other companies. 

• Eastern Oregon 

J and J Timber Resources based in Haines in eastern Oregon’s Baker County.

• Northwest Oregon

Perrigo Timber, LLC, based in Warrenton, Ore.

Oregon enacted the Forest Practices Act in 1971 as a national model for forest management laws. The law focuses on ensuring responsible forest operations and protecting natural resources in forestland. The Act has been updated many times based on new scientific information and values to create a balanced approach to natural resource management. 

SALEM, Ore. — The Board of Forestry Governance Committee will meet virtually at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13. To join, please use the Zoom video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Board Self-Evaluation (Addendum G)

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged in advance of the meeting by emailing [email protected]">[email protected].

Committee members include Ben Deumling and Heath Curtiss.

This standing board committee recommends policies (or policy changes) to the board pertaining to governance issues and processes including the oversight and management of the Board Policy Manual, orientation and training of new board members, the evaluation and improvement of the board, the repository of board materials, and oversight of the written conflict of interest policies, procedures, and review of annual or special statements of board members. Learn more about the committee.

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is taking additional steps over the coming months to further improve the accuracy of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits so that people in Oregon receive the correct amount of food assistance.

As part of this work, ODHS will conduct several rounds of income accuracy checks on existing SNAP cases and begin requiring proof of housing and utility costs when people apply for or renew benefits. Some households may receive notices requesting additional information.

These efforts are part of the agency's ongoing work to reduce Oregon's SNAP payment error rate, improve benefit accuracy and help households avoid unexpected changes to their food assistance as new federal requirements take effect.  

"We want every person in Oregon who qualifies for SNAP to receive the right amount of food benefits," said Jessica Amaya Hoffman, ODHS Oregon Eligibility Partnership interim director. "Income can be complicated, especially with gig work, changing work hours or financial help from family members. We also know that not everyone has traditional documents to show their housing expenses. Our goal is to help people understand what information is needed and connect them with support so they can keep receiving the benefits they qualify for."

What SNAP households should do

Some SNAP households may receive notices asking for additional information about their income, housing or utility costs.

ODHS encourages people to:

• Read notices carefully. Each notice will explain what information is needed and when it is due.
• Respond by the deadline. Providing requested information on time can help prevent delays or interruptions in benefits.
• Keep contact information updated. Make sure ODHS has your current mailing address and phone number so you receive important notices.
• Ask for help. If you have questions or trouble getting documents, contact ODHS as soon as possible. Staff can help you understand what is needed.

Income accuracy checks will continue over the coming months

ODHS will check income on more than 80,000 SNAP cases in November and December 2026, with additional rounds planned next year.

As part of these checks, ODHS will look at household income information to identify anything that could affect a household's SNAP benefits. If more information is needed, ODHS will contact the household or send an "Information Needed" notice explaining what information is needed.

Not every household will need to take action. However, people who receive a notice should read it carefully and respond by the deadline. Households that do not respond to a request for information may lose their SNAP benefits.

If an income accuracy check identifies information that changes a household's eligibility or benefit amount, ODHS will send a notice explaining the change.

New proof requirements for housing and utility costs begin Nov. 21

Beginning Nov. 21, 2026, people applying for or renewing SNAP benefits will need to provide proof of their housing and utility costs for those expenses to be counted when calculating benefits.

Housing and utility costs can affect how much SNAP a household receives. Reporting these expenses may help households qualify for more food benefits. For more than a decade, Oregon has generally allowed people to report these expenses without providing documentation.

People who already receive SNAP will be asked to provide proof when they renew their benefits. However, people who move, report a change in their housing or utility costs, or begin paying a new expense before their next renewal will need to provide proof of those costs, even if they don’t receive a notice requesting it.

For housing costs, people need to provide proof of how much their household pays for rent, a mortgage or other eligible housing costs. They also need to identify which utilities they pay for or help pay for, such as electricity, gas or water. They don’t need to provide the specific dollar amount they pay.

Several types of documents can be used to verify expenses, including:

• A rental agreement or mortgage bill
• A utility bill
• A rental agreement that shows how utilities are paid
• A written receipt from a landlord
• A bank statement showing a payment to a landlord, property manager or mortgage company
• A screenshot from a payment app showing your housing payment or which utility the payment was for (including Venmo, PayPal or CashApp)
• A statement from a landlord or roommate who is not part of the SNAP household.

A landlord or roommate who is not part of the SNAP household may also be able to verify expenses by phone.

ODHS staff can help people find other ways to verify expenses if they share housing costs, get help paying bills or do not have permanent housing.

People should continue to apply for SNAP, renew their benefits and complete required interviews, even if they do not have documents ready.

If ODHS does not receive proof of housing or utility costs by the deadline, the agency will determine the eligibility and benefit amounts for the household without counting those costs. This means a household could receive fewer benefits or not qualify for SNAP. However, missing proof alone will not automatically result in an application being denied or an existing case being closed.

How to get help

• Online: Apply for or manage benefits at benefits.oregon.gov.
• By phone: Call the ONE Customer Service Center at 800-699-9075, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time. Help is available in multiple languages.
• In person: Find a local ODHS office at oregon.gov/odhs/pages/office-finder.aspx.
• ONE Online account or Oregon ONE Mobile app: View notices, upload documents and manage benefits.

Learn more about SNAP at oregon.gov/snap.

MAPLETON, Ore. – Iron Horse Logging, Inc., is one of three logging companies chosen recently as Operator of the Year for their respective region of Oregon. The Southwest Oregon  regional advisory committee to the Oregon Board of Forestry selected Iron Horse Logging last month. The company and other recipients will be recognized in Salem at the January meeting of the Board. The other honorees are: 

• Eastern Oregon — Wood River Timber, Inc., headquartered in Klamath Falls, Ore.
• Southwest Oregon — Lone Rock Logging based in Roseburg, Ore.

The award recognizes forest operators who, while harvesting timber or doing other forestry work, have a track record of protecting natural resources and improving forest health at a level that consistently meets or exceeds requirements of the Oregon Forest Practices Act . The Act requires people to manage forests responsibly and protect streams and water quality, protect and enhance habitat, and reduce landslide risks. The law also requires landowners to replant forests after harvesting.  

Videos about each of the three Operators of the Year and three Merit Award winners can be viewed on the ODF website at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Working/Pages/default.aspx 

Recognition earned for logging work in Northwest Oregon 

Iron Horse Logging was able to keep trees intact in multiple buffers on a unit right above a wetland and fish-bearing stream, both of which were protected from any sediment runoff. The buffers that were protected included new ones in draws leading to that fish-bearing stream that are now required under revisions to the Oregon Forest Practices Act. Iron Horse uses tall yarders to bring logs up to a landing with minimal damage to soils. Because equipment to handle big trees has become rarer in recent years, Iron Horse serves many landowners with difficult harvesting jobs other loggers often turn down.

Iron Horse’s careful attention to protecting forest resources was also cited by the selection committee, which cited the firm’s consistently good work over many years logging in heavy rainfall areas of the Coast Range.

ODF Forest Resources Division Chief Josh Barnard said, “The selection committees had excellent candidates this year when choosing who they would honor, all of whom showed they went to great lengths to protect the forest environment.”

Barnard said nominees showed they could meet the challenge of working under new harvesting rules. The updated Oregon Forest Practices Act rules provide more protection for forest resources, such as wider buffers for fish-bearing streams and retaining more trees in especially steep areas.  

“Many of the harvest sites this year had terrain that was quite challenging,” said Barnard. “The Operators of the Year showed extraordinary care and diligence to protect slopes and streams. We’re proud to recognize those efforts.” 

Merit Awards

Merit Awards were also given to three other companies. 

• Northwest Oregon – Perrigo Timber, LLC, based in Warrenton, Ore.
• Eastern Oregon – J and J Timber Resources based in Haines in Baker County
• Southwest Oregon – C and M Timberland Resources, LLC, headquartered in Glide, Ore., east of Roseburg. preventing sediment from reaching a nearby stream.

Oregon enacted the Forest Practices Act in 1971 as a national model for forest management laws. The law focuses on ensuring responsible forest operations and protecting natural resources in forestland. The Act has been updated many times based on new scientific information and values to create a balanced approach to natural resource management. 

                                                         # # # 

A Release from the Douglas County Fairgrounds Complex - 2110 SW Feear Srreet, Roseburg, Oregon 

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Douglas County Fairgrounds Warns Vendors of Fraudulent Christmas Craft Fair Email

(Douglas County, Ore.) – The Douglas County Fairgrounds is alerting the public about a fraudulent email currently circulating that falsely claims to represent the Douglas County Fairgrounds and Douglas County Fairgrounds staff.

The email solicits vendors for the Annual Douglas County Christmas Craft Fair, scheduled for December 4–6, 2026, and requests payment for booth spaces, food truck participation, and electrical hookups. This solicitation is fraudulent and is not affiliated with or authorized by the Douglas County Fairgrounds or the Douglas County Christmas Craft Fair.

The Douglas County Fairgrounds does not collect vendor application fees or booth payments through unsolicited emails, third-party payment links, or online payment links.

We urge anyone who receives this email to NOT respond, click on any links, provide personal or financial information, or submit payment.

All legitimate vendor applications and communications for the Douglas County Christmas Craft Fair are handled directly through the Douglas County Fairgrounds using our established application and payment procedures.

If you have responded to this email, provided personal or financial information, or submitted payment, we encourage you to contact your local law enforcement agency to report the incident. You should also contact your financial institution immediately if you have provided payment information or sent money.

The Douglas County Fairgrounds takes this matter seriously and wants to ensure our vendors, small businesses, and community members are protected from fraudulent activity.

For questions or to verify the legitimacy of vendor communications, please contact the Douglas County Fairgrounds directly at (541) 440-4396 or visit our office at 2110 SW Frear Street, Roseburg, OR 97471.

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Fairgrounds Contact:           Ciera Keith, Fairgrounds Director | Douglas County Fairgrounds | Office: (541) 440-4394 | Email: [email protected]">[email protected]

Media Contact:     Tamara Howell, Chief Public Information Officer | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: [email protected]">[email protected]

The Oregon State Marine Board invites recreational boaters and others interested in the agency’s work to a Town Hall meeting. Four informal, family-friendly meetings are being held in Tillamook, Scappoose, and Wilsonville.

Town Halls are an opportunity for agency staff to meet with local recreational boaters and to learn about area needs. It’s also a chance to gather feedback on the agency’s proposed budget and legislative concepts for the 2027-2029 legislative session. The Town Hall meeting is scheduled in an open format, so people can come and go as their schedules allow.

The goal is to build stronger connections with local boaters, share what the agency does, and explain how boating dollars are used in communities. Staff looks forward to answering questions about boating safety, agency rules, grant funding, boating access, titling and registration, outfitter guides, and any environmental concerns.

The Town Hall meeting times are from 4 pm to 7 pm and in an open format so you can come as your schedule allows.

MEETING DETAILS

Visit Boat.Oregon.gov to learn more about the Marine Board, Oregon’s recreational boating agency.

-End-

The Marine Board is funded by boater-paid fees, marine fuel taxes and non-motorized boater-paid waterway access permits. The Marine Board does not receive any lottery or general fund tax dollars.  These funds support boating safety enforcement and education, environmental programs, and facility access improvements statewide.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 10, 2026

USAO-OR.gov | @USAO_OR

North Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Enticement of Oregon Minor

MEDFORD, Ore. — A North Carolina man has pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to coerce and entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford announced today.

Sage Austin Miller, 28, from Winston Salem, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.

According to court documents, on Sept. 23 and 24, 2024, Miller used Snapchat to communicate with a person he believed was a 16-year-old girl living in Medford, Oregon. During the online communications, Miller attempted to persuade and entice the purported minor to meet him for sexual activity. Miller later traveled to and arrived at a predetermined meeting location.

As part of his plea agreement, Miller admitted that he used a cellular phone connected to the internet to communicate with a person he believed was under the age of 18 and that his conduct constituted a substantial step toward committing the offense. The conduct would have violated Oregon's Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First Degree statute had the planned encounter occurred.

Attempted coercion and enticement of a minor carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and five years to life of supervised release.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Miller agreed to forfeit several electronic devices used to facilitate the offense, including two Apple iPhones and an Apple iPad.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith R. Harper of the District of Oregon.

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State of Oregon v. Artemio Carrillo-Calmo

Marion County Circuit Court Case 26CR35840, 26CR18238, 22CR44873 and 18CR41208

Repeat Offender Held Accountable in Multiple Marion County Cases

Salem, OR – November 9, 2026, On November 5, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Hart sentenced Artemio Carrillo-Calmo (age 30) to 18 months in the Department of Corrections (DOC), followed by 180 days in the Marion County Jail, for a total of 24 months incarceration. Carillo-Calmo pled guilty to Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) as a felony, two counts of DUII as a misdemeanor, two counts of Assault in the Fourth Degree, two counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Animal Abuse in the First Degree, Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, and Giving False Information to a Police Officer.

In addition to serving time in prison, Carrillo-Calmo is prohibited from possessing or residing with a domestic animal for five years, his driver’s license has been permanently revoked, and he will be under post-prison supervision for 12 months.

After two prior DUII convictions resolved in a single 2016 case, in May of 2018 in Woodburn, Carrillo-Calmo intentionally rear-ended a vehicle occupied by his ex-girlfriend, damaging the car. He was eventually arrested and released and subsequently failed to appear at his appointed court date.

In September 2022, Woodburn police responded to a 911 call of what was believed to be a child screaming. Instead of an injured child, when they arrived on scene they found Carillo-Calmo choking a small dog on railroad tracks. The extent of the dogs injuries were significant and as a result it was humanely euthanized. Carrillo-Calmo was arrested but failed to appear at a subsequent hearing for the case. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

In March 2026, Carrillo-Calmo crashed into three other vehicles and injured his passenger while again driving intoxicated. His passenger was taken to the hospital. Two other victims, in a vehicle struck by Carrillo-Calmo, were trapped upside down in their car as a result of the accident. During that investigation, Carrillo-Calmo gave officers a false name and a forged ID. 

Unfortunately, he was released from custody again on this charge.

On July 3, 2026, police responded to a report of an impaired driver near Parr Road and S. Boones Ferry Road. The vehicle Carrillo-Calmo was driving was seen swerving into oncoming traffic, nearly colliding with two pedestrians. Upon stopping the Carrillo-Calmo, officers found multiple open beer containers in the vehicle and observed that Carrillo-Calmo was visibly intoxicated. He was arrested and taken into custody.

Under Oregon law (ORS 813.011), a third DUII within ten years is a Class C felony, punishable with a mandatory minimum of 90 days in jail. DUII convictions are not eligible to be set aside (expunged) under ORS 137.225, even if a diversion program is completed and the DUII was dismissed.

The state requested the maximum sentence allowed under law, which was 18 months in DOC and an additional 679 days (remaining incarceration from his previous DUIIs) in Marion County Jail.

The cases were prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Katharine Semple. The Marion County District Attorney’s Office thanks the hard-working officers and investigators of the Woodburn Police Department.

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The Lane County Elections Office continues to process ballots received for the November 3^rd General Election.

As of Monday morning, there are a total of 3,068 ballots countywide that have not yet been counted, not including those that will be received from USPS today and tomorrow and postmarked by November 3.

Of those 3,068 ballots, 235 are missing signatures and 1,571 have signatures that do not match the voters’ records. Another 1,262 ballots must be hand-processed due to a combination of damaged (torn, dirty, water damage, etc.) ballots unreadable with Elections Office equipment, and those requiring additional processing and resolution.

Each voter with a missing or mismatched signature receives a letter from the Lane County Elections Office with instructions for “curing” their ballot by providing evidence that it was the eligible voter who returned the ballot. Voters must cure their ballots by the end of the work day on Tuesday, November 24, or their ballots cannot be counted.

“Curing ballots is a critical part of the election process and ideally every voter with a missing or challenged signature would take the time to cure their ballot,” said Lane County Clerk Tommy Gong. “Unfortunately, many voters choose not to respond to the notifications they receive. During our last general election, only 30 percent of missing or mismatched signatures were cured.”

Voters who forgot to sign their ballot return envelope receive this letter. Voters whose signatures did not match their voter record receive this letter.

The next election results update is planned by the end of the day on Tuesday, November 10.

“We truly appreciate the public’s patience as we do our due diligence to ensure the integrity of the election,” said Gong.

More information about ballot processing and election security is available at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/ElectionSecurity.

About the Lane County Elections Office:

The Elections Office, located at 275 W. 10^th Avenue in Eugene, is responsible for conducting elections in Lane County.  The Elections Office manages voter registration, the processing of mail ballots, recruitment and training of election workers, and certification of elections.

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The final quarterly meeting of 2026 for the Advisory Committee to the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will be held virtually and in person on Wednesday, Dec. 2, in the auditorium of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, 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 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 [email protected]. The Advisory Committee meets quarterly on the first Wednesday of March, June, September and December.

REGISTER TO ATTEND

Please register at events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/1c54b087-7fea-4829-b07b-d8bc62d42d80@aa3f6932-fa7c-47b4-a0ce-a598cad161cf  to attend any portion of this meeting.

Attendees will be allowed to participate during the town hall 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.

More information about the Advisory Committee and meeting materials 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.

# # #

EUGENE, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management is taking an important step toward improving facilities at the Shotgun Creek Recreation Area by removing deteriorated wastewater treatment infrastructure at the site. This is the first phase of a larger investment to upgrade the facilities at Shotgun Creek Recreation Area for the next generation of recreationalists.

Starting in mid-November, the BLM will demolish and remove the existing wastewater treatment system. Crews will demolish aboveground facilities east of the recreation area, including a holding basin and a control shed, and fill below-ground infrastructure with a combination of rocks and cement. The southern restroom facility will be removed, and the northern restroom will be temporarily closed. In 2027, shortly after decommissioning the existing facilities, the BLM will install temporary restroom facilities. In 2027, work to construct a new vault toilet will begin.

“We want to thank the public for their patience and understanding.” said Christopher Finn, Upper Willamette Field Office Manager. “We understand the public’s appreciation of this recreation site and are working on improving the site to create a better user experience.”

Continued deterioration has prompted the BLM to decommission the wastewater treatment system and associated infrastructure at Shotgun Creek Recreation Site.

“We’re glad that we can keep Shotgun Creek open to the visitors during this decommissioning process,” said Finn. “We just ask that visitors to respect barriers and follow instructions on signage. We are restricting access only to the particular areas where equipment is being stored and construction is actively taking place.”

“We’ve done our best to schedule this work during the slower off-season, to cause the least amount of disruption to visitors,” Finn continued.

The popular recreation area is in Marcola, about 20 miles outside of Eugene. Visitors can immerse themselves in the enjoyment of surrounding hiking trails, a swimming area, meandering creeks, and picnicking units. Shelter reservations are available May 1 – September 30.

-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.

SALEM, Ore. – As this year comes to a close, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is looking back on 2026 and planning for the 2027 season.

OPRD welcomed millions of visitors this year to its state parks, including 2.2 million camping nights so far this year. Park rangers were on the ground welcoming visitors, cleaning restrooms, hosting hikes and star parties, and addressing hundreds of trail, utility, and other maintenance issues that arose throughout the year.

This year also came with some significant changes to OPRD’s fees as the agency successfully closed a $14 million funding gap for the 2025-2027 biennium. Some of the fees had not been updated in 15 years.

“These changes, while hard, were absolutely necessary and they prevented us from closing parks,” said OPRD director Lisa Sumption. “We fixed our budget in the short-term, and now we are turning our attention toward long-term solutions that do not put the burden solely on our visitors.”

Staff are looking forward to welcoming visitors for the 2027 season. To help visitors enjoy Oregon’s more than 250 state park areas and know what to expect next year, see the following updates.

Fall/Winter 2026:

• OPRD refreshed its online store, offering new ways to remember your favorite Oregon State Parks visit.
• OPRD and State Library of Oregon made 200 parking permits available at 82 libraries across the state and will be evaluating opportunities to expand the Library Pass Program.
• Weatherization of parks closed over the winter months.
• Update reservation website to show the site fee per day when selecting available camping dates.
• New Spot Watch feature provides more detailed notification options via text or email. You can set up a notification that includes multiple parks, lodging types, and date ranges.
• Begin low-season park improvement projects, like those happening at Cape Lookout State Park, Silver Falls State Park and Smith Rock State Park.
• Following the new dump station fee implemented at 18 state parks, the agency is evaluating whether additional parks have the technology and site conditions to make implementation practical.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2027

• First Day Hikes: Guided hikes at select parks on Jan. 1.
• The Transient Lodging Tax set by the Oregon Tourism Commission will increase from 1.5% to 2.75% and effects all OPRD overnight reservations. OPRD does not receive funds collected from this tax.
• Physical 12-month parking permits – the hang tags – will only be sold online and will cost $10 more to account for printing and handling fees. Digital 12-month parking permits will still cost $60 for Oregon residents and $75 for non-residents.
• Jessie M. Honeyman State Park will close for several months starting in January for utility and hazard tree removal work.

Spring 2027

• Park cleanup, repair and reopening after assessing any damage or issues that arose after the winter season.
• Rate increases to reservable day-use facilities (amphitheater, group day use, meeting hall, pavilion and picnic shelter), yurts and cabins take effect May 1. Increases will be about 5% to account for inflation in utility, supplies and staffing costs.
• Hire for seasonal staff.

OPRD is making substantially fewer fee changes in 2027. Addressing large maintenance projects that are overdue, often referred to as deferred maintenance, is the primary issue. If put off for too long, the issues can become persistent and cause service disruptions or closures to campgrounds.

The agency does not receive general fund tax revenue, and fees alone will not be able to address deferred maintenance. OPRD has been and will continue to focus on long-term funding solutions that can meet the scale of the deferred maintenance need.

Visit the website for more information.

Photo of buck deer (graphic image)

CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (9 Nov. 2026) – The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s help identifying the person(s) responsible for the illegal killing of a buck deer near Prineville.

On Thursday, October 29, 2026, OSP Fish and Wildlife responded to a report of a buck deer that had been killed and harvested on private property along O’Neil Highway near Century Drive and Elliot Lane. Responding troopers believe the buck was killed with archery equipment between October 26 and October 28. Rifle deer season concluded on October 14, 2026, and there was no legal deer hunting season in effect at the time and location where the deer was found.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Turn-In-Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-452-7888 or [email protected]. Tips may also be submitted by calling OSP (677) from a mobile phone. Please reference case number SP26-354801. Tips may remain anonymous.

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators

The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board.

The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.  

Preference Point Rewards

5 Points: Bighorn Sheep

5 Points: Rocky Mountain Goat

5 Points: Moose

5 Points: Wolf

4 Points: Elk

4 Points: Deer

4 Points: Pronghorn Antelope

4 Points: Bear

4 Points: Cougar

The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling license or tag, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.

Cash Rewards

Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) cash rewards:

$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, or Moose

$1,000 Elk, Deer, or Antelope

$600 Bear, Cougar, or Wolf
$400 Game Fish & Shellfish
$400 Snagging/Attempt to Snag

$300 Habitat destruction

$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags

$200 Unlawful lending/borrowing big game tag(s)

$200 Game Birds or Furbearers

$200 Spotlighting

Rewards for Game Fish & Shellfish and Snagging/Attempting to Snag are sponsored, in part, by Northwest Steelheaders Association and Coastal Conservation Association.

Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:

$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey

$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox

$1,000 Species listed as “threatened" or “endangered" under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish)
$10,000 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and $11,500 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and north of Highway 20

Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards:

$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity:

TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP (677)

TIP email: [email protected] (monitored Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

For more information visit the Oregon State Police Turn-in-Poachers (TIP) web page.

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About the Oregon State Police

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

November 9, 2026

Media contact: Franny White, [email protected]">[email protected], 971-349-3539

Oregon again awarded $197.3M to build on rural healthcare access improvements

Early success in implementing the Rural Health Transformation Program yields additional, second-year award to help restore local care in remote communities, strengthen emergency medical services, preserve maternal care, more

SALEM, Ore. – For the second year in a row, Oregon has been awarded about $197.3 million to continue improving rural healthcare through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced.

This new award comes after first-year RHTP investments brought positive results in key areas established by the Kotek administration. This new funding is in addition to the approximately $197.3 million that Oregon was awarded for the program’s first year.

Oregon is using this federal funding to support proven, community-driven projects that improve rural healthcare access — including maternity care, primary care, and behavioral health. With this funding, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) aims to grow and sustain the healthcare workforce, expand health technology, boost chronic disease management and prevention, and help the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon improve access and health outcomes in rural areas.

“Oregon should be proud of all that it has accomplished in the 11 months since the U.S. government first awarded our state Rural Health Transformation Program funding,” said Interim OHA Director Fariborz Pakseresht. “OHA and hundreds of organizations urgently rallied together to tackle projects that make it easier for people in rural Oregon to receive the quality healthcare they need and deserve. Additional federal funding will now help Oregon advance these remarkable efforts.”

The federal government awarded Oregon additional funding after evaluating Oregon’s and other states’ progress against their RHTP goals. During the national program’s inaugural year in 2026, Oregon was one of the first states to distribute federal funding to local projects, which enabled the state’s rural health improvement efforts to move forward more quickly.

Early successes lay foundation for transformation

OHA has so far provided grants to well over 300 organizations, including rural hospitals, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, community mental health programs, Federally Recognized Tribes, and nonprofit organizations.

Oregon’s early rural health investments are supporting a wide variety of projects, including:

• To ensure pregnant people and newborns in rural Northeastern Oregon can continue to receive quality care, Wallowa Memorial Hospital in Enterprise will provide advanced cesarean section training to family medicine physicians, increase obstetric and newborn care training for nurses, and more.
• Pregnant people living in Southern Oregon with substance use concerns will receive integrated care through the expansion of a project called Nurture Oregon, which offers peer recovery support, medical care, behavioral health services, social service coordination, and more.
• Grants Pass-based Siskiyou Health Center’s new mobile health clinic will bring primary care, substance use disorder treatment, mental healthcare, and other needed services to Southern Oregon’s geographically isolated Illinois Valley five days a week.
• People in the Malheur County ranching community of Jordan Valley will be able to receive primary care, psychiatric care, and women’s healthcare without needing to travel long distances after Cornerstone Whole Healthcare Organization remodels and reopens a local clinic that closed in 2013.
• Seaside Fire & Rescue will purchase a new ambulance and other equipment to strengthen emergency medical response for Seaside and surrounding Clatsop County communities.
• Community Health Centers of Lane County are building their ability to provide sealants, fluoride treatments, and other oral health services.
• Eleven rural hospitals along the Oregon Coast and in Eastern Oregon are forming the Cascades Rural High Value Network, a clinically integrated network through which participating hospitals will jointly coordinate care, invest in shared infrastructure and systems, negotiate value-based payment arrangements with insurers, and more.
• Columbia Gorge Health Council is expanding its Connected Care for Older Adults program, which provides in-home primary care and support to frail older adults in rural Hood River and Wasco counties so they can maintain their independence and avoid health crises.

OHA will largely use Oregon’s 2027 RHTP funding to further advance projects and efforts that received grants during the program’s first year to keep the momentum going and keep focus on programs that are working.

If Oregon is awarded more funding in future years, the state’s rural health efforts would enter a second phase that involves larger, more competitive grants for longer-term and sustainable regional projects with similar goals.

The RHTP was created by U.S. House Resolution 1, a federal tax and spending bill that became law in July 2025. The law will cut an estimated $15 billion in federal funding for Oregon programs that provide health insurance, food benefits, and more. The RHTP is one positive component of this law that is estimated to bring home to Oregon up to $1 billion over the course of the five-year program.

More information – including a statewide list of awards that been given so far – is on the OHA Rural Health Transformation Program webpage.

# # #

The Oregon Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $394,526,097.43, with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents of this release are those of OHA and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS or the U.S. Government.

Credit union shares smart shopping strategies to find better deals, avoid spending traps and keep holiday costs in check

PORTLAND, Ore. – Holiday spending is expected to climb again this year, putting added pressure on shoppers to make every dollar count. Americans plan to spend an average of $1,654 this year, up 4% from 2025, according to Deloitte’s 2026 Holiday Retail Survey. Shoppers are also getting more strategic about saving, with nearly four in 10 using five or more money-saving strategies to keep holiday costs in check, the survey found.

“With so many sales, promotions and payment options, it's almost too easy to spend more than you planned,” says Amy Reeves, senior vice president/regional manager, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “A big discount doesn't always mean you're getting a good deal. The goal is to make smart purchases that fit your budget so you can enjoy the holidays without paying for them months later.”

OnPoint recommends these five strategies to help people in Oregon and Southwest Washington find better deals, avoid common shopping traps and keep holiday spending in check:

1.Make a spending plan. Holiday debt can linger long after the decorations come down. One in four Americans are still paying off debt from last year's holiday season, according to WalletHub's 2026 Early Holiday Shopping Survey. To avoid adding to that burden, set a realistic budget that includes gifts, travel, meals, decorations and other seasonal expenses. Look at what you spent last year, set limits for each category and track purchases as you go.

2.Know when to buy, not just where. Black Friday and Cyber Monday aren't necessarily the best times to buy everything. Google's new When to Buy Guide uses historical shopping data to show when different products tend to see the biggest discounts. For example, shoppers may find better deals on fragrances shortly after Black Friday, deeper discounts on handbags in December.

3.Stack your savings. Don't stop at the advertised sale price. Look for opportunities to combine retailer promotions, digital coupons, loyalty rewards and cash-back apps like Rakuten. Before checking out, see if you have unused gift cards, store credits or rewards points that could cover part of your purchase. Check the terms, since some discounts can't be combined, and avoid buying items you don't need just to qualify for rewards.

4.Rethink your gift list. More gifts don't necessarily make for a better holiday. Consider Secret Santa or white elephant exchanges, group gifts or setting spending limits with friends and family. Experiences can also be meaningful alternatives to traditional presents and are an opportunity to support your local community. Half of holiday shoppers plan to give an experience this year, according to Deloitte’s 2026 Holiday Retail Survey. Consider a homemade dinner, tickets to a community event or a family outing. Free concerts, holiday light displays and other seasonal activities can also create lasting memories without a big price tag.

5.Don't let payment plans stretch your budget. Buy now, pay later options can make holiday purchases seem more affordable by dividing the cost into smaller payments. But those payments can add up quickly, especially when shopping at multiple retailers. Before choosing a payment plan, consider the full purchase price, review potential fees and make sure future payments fit your budget. A good deal isn't worth it if it creates financial stress after the holidays.

A more strategic approach to holiday spending can help consumers find meaningful savings while staying on track with their financial goals. OnPoint offers tools and resources to help members budget, save and plan ahead. Learn more about OnPoint's financial resources, services and locations at www.onpointcu.com.

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About OnPoint Community Credit Union

OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union headquartered in Oregon, serving more than 671,000 members throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 33 Oregon counties (Baker, Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Malheur, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and who lives, works, worships, or attends school in one of four Washington counties (Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, and Skamania), and their immediate family members. More information is available at onpointcu.com.

Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Opportunity.

SALEM, Ore. — The Certified Burn Manager Advisory Committee will meet at 9 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 16, 2026, Tillamook Room, Building C, at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters, located at 2600 State St. in Salem. This meeting is being held jointly with the annual meeting of the Oregon Prescribed Fire Council, which convenes on Nov. 16 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17. To join the CBMAC meeting virtually, please use the Zoom video conference information found on the agenda. Learn more about registering for the Oregon Prescribed Fire Council annual meeting.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Welcome introductions
• Updated charter review
• Recommendations for CBM rule changes
• Public comment
• Training deliveries (Updates and feedback)
• PBAs and CBMs
• Use of CBM for cultural burning
• Updates
  • CBM rule updates
  • Liability Pilot Program

The meeting is open to the public to attend in-person or virtually. There will be a period for public comment. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting by contacting [email protected]">Shelby Berry at 503-949-5181.

View more information on the CBMAC webpage.

Oregon's 2021 Legislature passed Senate Bill 762 requiring the Oregon Department of Forestry to establish a Certified Burn Manager Program. It is the duty of the Certified Burn Manager Advisory Committee to advise the Oregon Department of Forestry on the program.

Award recipients selected from more than 630 nominations to be celebrated Dec. 1, followed by statewide Arts & Culture Summit Dec. 2 in Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (Nov. 9, 2026) — From preserving Indigenous traditions and creating opportunities for young artists to helping communities recover and thrive, seven outstanding individuals, organizations and communities have been selected for the 2026 Oregon Arts & Culture Awards.

Presented jointly by the Oregon Cultural Trust and Oregon Arts Commission, the awards and statewide summit honor the people and partnerships strengthening cultural life, creative work and community identity throughout Oregon.

Chosen from more than 630 community nominations, the recipients represent the creativity, leadership and cultural contributions that make Oregon a vibrant place to live, work and visit. They will be honored Tuesday evening, Dec. 1, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.

“Arts and culture bring Oregon’s stories to life. They help us understand one another, celebrate the places we call home and build stronger, more vibrant communities,” said Oregon First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson. “These honorees show what’s possible when creativity and community come together.”

Event Details

What: 2026 Oregon Arts & Culture Awards and Summit

When: December 1–2, 2026

Where: Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon

Media access: Contact Julie Lee at [email protected] to coordinate coverage and interviews.

Event information: www.culturaltrust.org/summit/

The celebration kicks off the Oregon Arts & Culture Awards and Summit, bringing together artists, cultural leaders, educators, policymakers, business partners and advocates from across the state. Together, they will recognize the role arts and culture play in Oregon’s identity, community recovery, economy and placemaking — and explore opportunities for connection, learning and collaboration.

“The work to keep a tradition alive, help a child find their voice or rebuild a community appears in tiny moments across Oregon every day,” said Amy Lewin, Oregon Director of Arts and Culture. “This gathering will honor our working artists, our leaders and our champions; it’s just one of many ways we are strengthening the connections for creatives ready to help define what’s next for Oregon. We invite all those interested to join us Dec. 1 and 2.”

Awards Celebration and Statewide Summit

The gathering builds on Oregon’s tradition of statewide cultural convenings, returning with a refreshed format that pairs recognition of outstanding cultural contributions with conversations about the sector’s future. The event also celebrates the Oregon Cultural Trust’s 25th anniversary.

Tuesday, December 1 | Oregon Arts & Culture Awards Celebration | 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.

The evening will honor the seven award recipients and celebrate 25 years of the Oregon Cultural Trust.

Wednesday, December 2 | Oregon Arts & Culture Summit | 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

A statewide gathering of cultural organizations, funders, educators, Tribal representatives, business leaders and policymakers featuring the release of a new Creative Economy Report, a keynote presentation, breakout conversations on education and cross-sector collaboration, and opportunities to connect. A networking gathering will follow the Summit.

Oregon’s cultural sector supports more than 70,000 jobs and contributes $11 billion annually to the state’s economy, underscoring the importance of continued investment and collaboration.

2026 Oregon Arts & Culture Award Recipients

•  Lifetime Achievement in Arts & Culture Award — Roberta Lavadour, Pendleton: An accomplished artist and longtime leader of the Pendleton Center for the Arts, Lavadour has spent decades expanding access to arts education, exhibitions, music and cultural programming in Eastern Oregon.

•  Emerging Cultural Innovator Award — Erica Alexia Ledesma, Southern Oregon: An artist, storyteller and cultural organizer whose work amplifies Indigenous, Latine and immigrant voices. Ledesma co-founded Coalición Fortaleza and uses art to build community, encourage cultural expression and create opportunities for young people.

•  Traditional Arts and Culture Keepers Award — Stephanie Craig, anqati təmtəm tənas siyaxus, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde/Dayton: A traditional weaver, educator and cultural keeper dedicated to preserving Indigenous weaving traditions, sharing knowledge across generations and sustaining the natural materials and cultural practices essential to her art.

•  Community Catalyst Award — Talent’s Arts & Culture Community, Southern Oregon: Recognized for using arts and culture as a powerful force for community recovery following the devastating 2020 wildfires. Its “Our Stories Through Arts” initiative is a public art collaboration involving five local Talent organizations, reflecting a community-wide commitment to creativity, connection and revitalization.

•  Youth Engagement Award — Maxtivity Creative Space for Community Arts, Philomath: A nonprofit community arts studio empowering youth to express and grow their creative gifts, find belonging with creative peers and mentors, and use their creativity to make their communities more vibrant places to live.

•  Art and Culture in Public Places Award — City of Woodburn, Recognized for celebrating the community’s rich cultural heritage through public murals, art installations, cultural celebrations and programs that reflect Woodburn’s diverse history and residents.

•  Business of the Year Award — Lithia & Driveway, Medford/Statewide: A longtime supporter of arts and culture throughout the state, Lithia & Driveway has made significant investments in organizations including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Britt Music & Arts Festival, as well as in arts education and youth programming.

Best Media Opportunities:

Tuesday, December 1 — Awards Night & Celebration | Oregon Convention Center, Portland Ballroom

5:30 p.m. Welcome reception: cultural leaders and awardees arriving; dancers, artmaking and interviews.

6:30 p.m. Dinner and opening performance, followed by a welcome and reading from Oregon Poet Laureate Ellen Waterston and a celebration of the Oregon Cultural Trust’s 25th anniversary.

7:30 p.m. Arts & Culture Awards presentation: recognition of seven award recipients; key photo and interview opportunity.

Wednesday, December 2 — Statewide Arts & Culture Summit | Oregon Convention Center, Portland Ballroom

10 a.m. ECOnorthwest presentation of a new report on Oregon’s creative economy by Brittany Bagent, with findings on creative-sector jobs and contributions.

10:30 a.m. “Why Oregon’s Creative Economy Matters” panel featuring Damon Runberg (Business Oregon), Brittany Bagent (ECOnorthwest), Dana Whitelaw (High Desert Museum and Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon) and Jason Holland (Oregon Arts Commission Chair and Oregon Coast Council for the Arts).

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About the Oregon Cultural Trust

Created in 2001 by the Oregon Legislature, the Oregon Cultural Trust serves as an ongoing funding engine for arts, heritage and humanities. Funding comes through the Cultural Tax Credit, which empowers Oregonians to direct a portion of their state taxes to support cultural opportunities. A percentage of donations go directly to 45 county and Tribal Cultural Coalitions and qualified nonprofits, and a portion goes toward helping grow a permanent endowment. Nested within Business Oregon, the Cultural Trust’s investments support the economies, educational opportunities and vibrancy of communities throughout the state. Learn more at CulturalTrust.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About the Oregon Arts Commission

The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, arts programs and funding for nonprofits and artists through its grants, special initiatives and services. Commissioners appointed by the Governor establish policies and provide advisory support for public investment in the arts. Nested within Business Oregon, the Arts Commission works to support the economies, educational opportunities and vibrancy of communities throughout the state. The Arts Commission is supported with funds appropriated by the Oregon Legislature, as well as by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oregon Cultural Trust. Learn more at oregonartscommission.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Lane County Parks is currently recruiting volunteers to serve on the Parks Advisory Committee (PAC), with two open positions representing District 1 (West Lane) and District 5 (East Lane).

The Parks Advisory Committee is a seven-member volunteer body appointed by the Lane County Board of County Commissioners. The committee includes five members representing individual County districts and two at-large members. The PAC advises the Board on the park and recreation needs of residents and visitors, including recommendations on project priorities, financial and operational development, land acquisition, and long-range planning for future park programs and facilities. The committee also serves as a liaison representing community interests related to County parks.

Applications for these vacancies are due by November 29, and applications remain on file for 12 months. Submitted applications will be considered if a vacancy occurs during that period. The application can be found at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/pac. 

The full recruitment notice is available online: Parks Advisory Committee Full Recruitment Notice.

About Lane County Parks

Serving communities from the Coast to the Cascades, Lane County Parks provides diverse opportunities for camping, boating, picnicking, recreation, and connection to nature across 68 county parks.

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Oregon Heritage of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is offering grants for the construction or restoration of veterans and war memorials throughout Oregon. 

The grant application period is open now and closes February 14, 2027. 

Local and regional governments and federally recognized Tribes are eligible to apply for funding for monuments placed on publicly owned properties.  Grants may fund up to 80 percent of projects and require a 20 percent match from grant recipients.

New monuments should acknowledge veterans and/or wars not already recognized in the community.  Restoration projects may address broken monuments, missing elements, and/or additions to existing monuments.

Proposals must demonstrate active participation of a veteran organization and community support.

A free online workshop about the grant program will be held December 3, 2026; 9-10:30 a.m. via Zoom.  Registration is required.

For more information about the Veterans and War Memorials grant and other grant programs, visit www.oregonheritage.org.  Or contact Karen Litvin at [email protected]">[email protected] or 971-720-0852.

LINN COUNTY, Ore. (7 Nov. 2026) – On Thursday, November 5, 2026, at approximately 10:55 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 20 near milepost 16 in Linn County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a black Harley-Davidson motorcycle, operated by Tracy Allan Formby (59) of Lebanon, was traveling eastbound on Highway 20 near Weirich Drive when it left the roadway for an unknown reason. The motorcycle traveled along the eastbound shoulder before rolling into a fence, causing the operator and passenger to be ejected.

The operator of the motorcycle (Formby) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The passenger, Carrie Rose Lee (41) of Albany, was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.

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

OSP was assisted by the Lebanon Police Department, Lebanon Fire Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

# # #

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

Eugene, OR. Eugene Springfield Fire was dispatched to a reported house fire in the 800 block of of N. Bertelsen in West Eugene Friday evening. 

Callers reported a house fire and indicated there may be multiple victims. This information  prompted the request for additional resources for the incident. 

Engine 8 from the Danebo station arrived less than three minutes after dispatch and reported heavy fire from the front of the residence. They immediately deployed a hose line and began fire attack operations.

Crews encountered fire on the first and second floor with extension into the attic space. Fire attack and search of the residence was difficult due to hoarder conditions in the structure and around the property.  Crews used saws to create openings for conducting searches in survivable spaces within in the structure.

One victim self extricated prior to our arrival and was transported to Riverbend hospital with serious injuries. No additional victims were located during the search of the structure. There were no other injuries and the cause is under investigation. 

The Police Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or [email protected].

The meeting will be livestreamed on the DPSST YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST.

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approve August 20, 2026, Meeting Minutes

3. Administrative Closures Consent Agenda (The following items to be ratified by one vote)
    Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

    a) Lincoln Ngo; DPSST No. 62528

              Basic Police Certification

4. Shanon Anderson, DPSST No. 61579; Oregon State University DPS

Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

5. Leshaun Emile, DPSST No. 61287; Albany Police Department

Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

6. Carlos Jones, DPSST No. 44434; Eugene Police Department

Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

7. Patrick Mawdsley, DPSST No. 46428; Portland Police Bureau

Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

8. Jeremy Price, DPSST No. 41048; West Linn Police Department

Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

9. Johnnie Ward, DPSST No. 24573; Curry County Sheriff's Office

Presented by Marie Atwood

10. Approval for Changes to the Basic Police Curriculum

Presented by Chris Enquist

11. Basic Police Curriculum, Upcoming Changes to Legal Course Alignment, Informational Only

       Presented by Gerod Rayburn

12. Proposed Rule Changes for Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 259-008-0085

Codifying Board Approval of the Revisions to the Basic Police Course Subject and Hour Breakdown

Presented by Jennifer Howald

13. Applicant Review Committee Nominations

       Presented by Marie Atwood

14. Agency Updates

15. Next Police Policy Committee Meeting – February 18, 2027, at 10:00 a.m.

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Police Policy Committee members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.

DPSST provides reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access for people with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. To request a sign language interpreter, translation services, or other accommodations, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or at [email protected]">[email protected], at least 48 hours before the meeting.

DPSST proporciona acomodaciones rasonables para asegurar el acceso igual para personas con descapacidades y para personas con competencia limitada de inglés. Para pedir un interprete de lengua de señas, servicios de traducción, u otras acomodaciones, por favor de contactar a Juan Lopez marcando al (503) 551-3167, o a [email protected]">[email protected], al menos de 48 horas antes de la reunión.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 6, 2026

Douglas County Awarded $1.76 Million Federal Grant for Wilbur Old Highway 99 Railroad Overcrossing Project

Federal Railroad Administration award will fund feasibility study and preliminary engineering for a future grade-separated railroad crossing

            (Douglas County, Ore) The Douglas County Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce that Douglas County Public Works Department has been awarded up to $1,763,336 in federal funding through the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025–2026 Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program for the Wilbur Old Highway 99 Railroad Overcrossing Project. 

            "This is exciting news for Douglas County and the Wilbur community," stated Douglas County Commissioner and Board Chair, Tom Kress. "Securing this federal funding allows us to take an important step toward addressing the challenges associated with this railroad crossing. Completing the feasibility study and preliminary engineering will help establish the groundwork necessary to pursue additional grant opportunities for future construction."

            The federal grant will fund a feasibility study and preliminary engineering necessary to evaluate and advance plans for a grade-separated crossing at the intersection of Old Highway 99 and the Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad near Wilbur, Oregon. A grade-separated crossing would separate highway and railroad traffic, eliminating the need for vehicles to cross the railroad tracks at the same level.  The planning and engineering work funded through this award will help identify potential design solutions, evaluate project requirements, and establish the technical groundwork needed to advance the project toward construction.  The project is intended to address transportation safety, improve emergency access, and enhance the movement and operational efficiency of freight and rail traffic through the area. 

            The project was selected under the RCE Program's Project Planning and Project Development category, which supports activities necessary to advance railroad crossing improvements. According to the FRA's project selection documentation, the proposed project aligns program criteria by enhancing rail safety and improving the safety and mobility of people and goods.  The federal award represents a significant investment toward advancing the project through the planning and engineering stages.  To read more about the FRA’s Crossing Safety Program and grant awards visit https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/fy25-26-rce-selections-project-summaries. 

            "We are grateful for this investment and appreciate the support of our federal partners and Oregon's congressional delegation, in helping advance transportation infrastructure projects that benefit our communities," commented Commissioner Kress

            The total estimated project cost is $2,204,171, with approximately 80% funded through the federal RCE grant and the remaining 20% provided by Douglas County as the local non-federal match.  Douglas County Public Works looks forward to moving this project forward and continuing its efforts to identify funding opportunities to make a future Wilbur Old Highway 99 Railroad Overcrossing a reality.

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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Chief Public Information Officer | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Cell (541) 670-2804 | Office (541) 957-4896 office | Email [email protected]">[email protected]

UMATILLA COUNTY, Ore. (6 Nov. 2026) – On Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at approximately 5:45 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a fatal vehicle-versus-pedestrian crash on Highway 11 near milepost 33 in Umatilla County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a blue Dodge Dakota, operated by Leslie Franklin King (89) of Milton-Freewater, was traveling northbound on Highway 11 near Appleton Road when it struck a pedestrian, Barbara Jane Freel (79) of Milton-Freewater, who was attempting to cross the highway. The pedestrian was reported to have been wearing dark clothing during low-light conditions.

The pedestrian (Freel) was pronounced deceased at the scene despite life-saving measures performed by bystanders.

The operator of the Dodge (King) and an adult passenger were reportedly not injured.

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

OSP was assisted by the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, Milton-Freewater Police Department, Milton-Freewater Rural Fire Department and EMS, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

# # #

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

At approximately 4:28 AM on 11-06-2026, Roseburg Officers were dispatched to 1180 NE Granite Ridge Street for a disturbance with a gun involving 60 year old Larry Scott Haley Jr. (Scott).  Roseburg Officers were assisted by Douglas County Deputies at the scene.  Officers and Deputies contacted and removed 88 year old Larry Scott Haley from the residence; during this process, Law Enforcement saw blood inside the entrance to the front door and what appeared to be gunshot damage to an interior wall. 

Neighboring residents were advised to shelter in place.  Law Enforcement deployed a robot into the residence and negotiated with Scott until he exited at approximately 7:38 AM. 

No non-lethal or lethal weapons were discharged by Law enforcement, and no one was injured. Scott had superficial scratches and cuts and was checked by medics.  Scott was arrested and lodged at Douglas County Corrections on charges of Domestic Menacing, and several counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Reckless Endangering.  There are no ongoing safety concerns to the public.  A search warrant was later served on the residence. 

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 6, 2026

USAO-OR.gov | @USAO_OR

Warm Springs Man Charged with Aggravated Sexual Abuse of Two Young Children

PORTLAND, Ore.— U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced today that Jesse James Hicks, 34, of Warm Springs, Oregon, has been charged by criminal complaint with aggravated sexual abuse of two young children on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.

According to court documents, on Oct. 16, 2026, officers with the Warm Springs Police Department responded to a residence on the Warm Springs Reservation after receiving a report that a man had been found in a bedroom with two young children.

Investigators allege that a family member entered the bedroom and observed Hicks with one of the children under circumstances that raised immediate concern. The witness promptly alerted other family members.

According to court documents, Hicks initially denied wrongdoing but later admitted to unlawful conduct involving one of the children during interviews with federal investigators.

“The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing and involve the exploitation of exceptionally vulnerable victims,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford. “Protecting children from sexual abuse remains one of our highest priorities. We will continue working alongside our Tribal, local, and federal law enforcement partners to investigate these crimes and pursue justice for victims and their families.”

Hicks is charged with aggravated sexual abuse. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Warm Springs Police Department.

The Special Prosecutions Unit for the District of Oregon is prosecuting the case.

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

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SALEM, Oregon – Oregon Main Street (OMS) is now accepting applications for organizations to join at the Designated Main Street or the Affiliated Main Street level of the Oregon Main Street Network. This application round is for organizations who demonstrate the readiness and capacity to implement a comprehensive downtown improvement effort based on the nationally recognized Main Street Approach™.

Applications can be found on our website at www.oregonmainstreet under the “How to Join” dropdown. OMS will host a virtual application workshop on November 12th, from 1:00pm to 4:00 pm. The workshop covers some of the requirements to participate at these tiers and provide tips on completing the application. Participants must register in advance click here.

The Designated Main Street level is a mark of distinction that reflects a demonstrated effort to building, growing, and sustaining a main street organization to support efforts to improve a community’s historic downtown by leveraging partnerships and engaging community members. Organizations participating at this level have a high degree of commitment to using the nationally recognized place-based Main Street Approach™ methodology to create lasting impact in enhancing their historic downtowns.

The Affiliated Main Street level is for communities who are either just starting to form, or are working on strengthening their Main Street structure to harness the powerful main street methodology to create lasting impact in enhancing their historic downtown or traditional commercial neighborhood.

Affiliated Main Street and Designated Main Street level communities must have a cohesive core of historic or older commercial and mixed-use buildings that represent the community’s architectural heritage and may include compatible in-fill. They must also have a sufficient mass of businesses, buildings, and density to be effective, as well as be a compact and pedestrian-oriented district.

The primary emphasis of joining at the Affiliated Main Street and Designated Main Street levels is the provided technical assistance from Oregon Main Street to help strengthen revitalization efforts.  Acceptance at these levels allows communities to participate in training, program evaluations, technical assistance, and receive local capacity building support. Participating in the Oregon Main Street program is free.

The selection process included submitting an application that describes their district, previous efforts to improve downtown, readiness to implement the Main Street Approach™, board development efforts, in addition to other criteria. 

Currently, there are more than 100 communities in Oregon participating in one of the four levels of the Oregon Main Street Network: Accredited Main Street, Designated Main Street, Affiliated Main Street, and Connected Communities. The Connected Communities application is the baseline engagement to our program and is open year-round. The OMS Accredited Main Street designation is achieved by attaining Main Street America™ national accreditation status.

Oregon Main Street is part of Oregon Heritage in Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 5, 2026

USAO-OR.gov | @USAO_OR

Salem Gang Member Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Firearms and Controlled Substances

PORTLAND, Ore.— A Salem man associated with the Varrio Catorce Norteño street gang was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison today for trafficking firearms and controlled substances, United States Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced.

Christopher Hermens, 29, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to transferring firearms to another person while having reasonable cause to believe the recipient intended to use, carry, or possess the firearms in connection with felony offenses.

According to court documents, in July 2023, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating members of the Varrio Catorce Norteño gang in the Salem area. During the investigation, an undercover ATF agent conducted a series of controlled purchases of firearms and controlled substances from Hermens and his associates.

Between January and February 2025, Hermens participated in multiple transactions involving firearms, cocaine, marijuana, and fentanyl. During these meetings, Hermens coordinated firearm sales, supplied controlled substances, connected undercover agents with fentanyl suppliers, and discussed obtaining additional firearms, including unserialized “ghost guns.”

On Jan. 23, 2025, Hermens and a co-conspirator sold five firearms and approximately one ounce of cocaine to an undercover agent. During the transaction, Hermens discussed future firearm sales and his ability to obtain additional weapons.

On Feb. 6, 2025, Hermens facilitated the sale of two firearms, approximately two pounds of marijuana, and approximately 32 grams of fentanyl. During the same transaction, Hermens arranged for an additional fentanyl sale through a drug supplier.

Later that month, on Feb. 27, 2025, Hermens coordinated a transaction in which an undercover agent purchased approximately 122 grams of fentanyl from one of Hermens’s associates.

On July 22, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hermens’s residence and recovered 19 firearms, including a rifle found beneath his bed and a pistol located in a neighboring bedroom. Investigators also recovered additional firearms and firearm components from a safe in the residence.

“The defendant repeatedly trafficked firearms and dangerous controlled substances, including fentanyl, while leveraging gang ties and criminal associates to expand his illegal activities,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “Individuals who profit from the distribution of illegal firearms and deadly narcotics pose a serious threat to public safety. This sentence holds the defendant accountable for his conduct and reflects our commitment to disrupting the criminal networks that endanger Oregon communities.”

As part of his plea agreement, Hermens agreed to forfeit firearms and other property connected to his criminal conduct.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole M. Bockelman prosecuted the case.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 5, 2026

USAO-OR.gov | @USAO_OR

Tigard Man Found Guilty of Federal Sex Trafficking Offense After Fleeing to Thailand

PORTLAND, Ore. — A federal jury has found a Tigard man guilty of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion after he attempted to profit from the commercial sexual exploitation of his girlfriend and later fled to Thailand to avoid prosecution, U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced today.

Selva Delano Mudaliar, 40, was found guilty of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion following a federal jury trial.

According to evidence presented at trial, in December 2021, Mudaliar transported the victim from Portland, Oregon, to a hotel in Vancouver, Washington, where he attempted to arrange for her to engage in commercial sex acts with a customer in exchange for money. Prosecutors proved that Mudaliar fraudulently induced the victim to accompany him and used force, threats, and coercion in connection with the sex trafficking scheme.

Trial evidence showed that after meeting a customer at a Portland nightclub, Mudaliar became interested in the customer after observing that he had substantial funds available in his bank account. Mudaliar directed the victim to introduce herself to the customer and later drove both individuals to a hotel in Vancouver, Washington. Once there, Mudaliar negotiated a deal under which the customer would pay $1,500 in exchange for sexual access to the victim.

When the arrangement failed, Mudaliar became enraged and assaulted the victim. Evidence at trial established that Mudaliar repeatedly struck the victim in the face and head and strangled her until she lost consciousness. The victim suffered severe injuries that required emergency medical treatment and transfer to a Level 1 trauma center.

Following the assault, the Washington County District Attorney's Office charged Mudaliar with multiple state offenses. Shortly before his scheduled state court trial in February 2024, Mudaliar fled the United States and traveled to Thailand. The FBI assisted in locating Mudaliar overseas, and he was arrested by Thai authorities. Mudaliar later consented to extradition and was returned to the United States to face the Washington County charges and additional federal charges. The charges in state court remain pending.

“Sex trafficking is a violent crime that exploits vulnerable victims for financial gain,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “The defendant attempted to sell a woman for sex and then brutally assaulted her when his scheme failed. Today's verdict holds him accountable for that conduct and demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting those who use force, fraud, and coercion to exploit others.”

Mudaliar faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2027.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tigard Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mira R. Chernick and William M. McLaren prosecuted the case.

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COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. – If you are a small woodland, vineyard, or orchard manager you may know the frustrations of being left with a large amount of woody debris after a harvest or pruning. Trying to decide what to do with all that material is one thing but wait too long and you can accidentally create the perfect habitat for pest insects that can do a great deal of damage to your standing timber or crops. Many landowners are turning to Air Curtain Incinerators (ACI) to help manage the leftover woody debris. An ACI is a specialized piece of equipment that burns woody biomass. Burning in an ACI produces much less smoke and particulate matter than an open burn pile.

On Monday, Nov. 23 the Oregon Department of Forestry is hosting a live ACI demo. This demo will be held at the Center for Rural Livelihoods, 80574 Hazelton Road in Cottage Grove. Attendees are welcome to drop in from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

This demo is perfect for fire departments, local governments, natural area land managers, Firewise communities, prescribed burn associations, nurseries, orchards, vineyards, arborists, landowners, and anyone who has to manage woody biomass looking for alternative to chipping or pile burning. Attendees will learn about what an ACI is and how to operate one, the benefits of using one, and how the biochar produced can be used to improve your soil.

It is free to attend the ACI demo, but attendees are asked to register before attending. To register and learn more about ACI visit http://tiny.cc/ACI-demos. For questions or help registering, contact [email protected].

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PORT ORFORD, Ore. – If you are a small woodland, vineyard, or orchard manager you may know the frustrations of being left with a large amount of woody debris after a harvest or pruning. Trying to decide what to do with all that material is one thing but wait too long and you can accidentally create the perfect habitat for pest insects that can do a great deal of damage to your standing timber or crops. Many landowners are turning to Air Curtain Incinerators (ACI) to help manage the leftover woody debris. An ACI is a specialized piece of equipment that burns woody biomass. Burning in an ACI produces much less smoke and particulate matter than an open burn pile.

On Friday, Nov. 13, the Oregon Department of Forestry is hosting a live ACI demo. This demo will be held at Cape Blanco State Park. 91814 Cape Blanco Road just north of Port Orford. Attendees are welcome to drop in from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

This demo is perfect for fire departments, local governments, natural area land managers, Firewise communities, prescribed burn associations, nurseries, orchards, vineyards, arborists, landowners, and anyone who has to manage woody biomass looking for alternative to chipping or pile burning. Attendees will learn about what an ACI is and how to operate one, the benefits of using one, and how the biochar produced can be used to improve your soil.

It is free to attend the ACI demo, but attendees are asked to register before attending. To register and learn more about ACI visit http://tiny.cc/ACI-demos. For questions or help registering, contact [email protected].

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 5, 2026

USAO-OR.gov | @USAO_OR

Oregon Man on State Supervision Arrested for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material After Arriving at Portland International Airport

PORTLAND, Ore.— U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced today that Alec Joseph Adams, 30, of Oregon, has been charged by criminal complaint with possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) after federal agents allegedly discovered illicit images and videos on his cell phone during an inspection at Portland International Airport.

“Every image and video depicting child sexual abuse represents a real child victim,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford. “The Department of Justice remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting children from exploitation and aggressively prosecuting individuals who possess, produce, or distribute child sexual abuse material.”

According to court documents, on Oct. 28, 2026, Adams arrived at Portland International Airport on a flight from Reykjavik, Iceland. During a customs inspection, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers learned that Adams was serving a term of probation in Lincoln County, Oregon, following convictions for luring a child and online sexual corruption of a child.

Court documents allege that during a basic media examination of Adams' cellphone, Customs and Border Protection officers discovered suspected child sexual abuse material. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents were notified and conducted a preliminary review of the device.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, investigators observed multiple images and video thumbnails depicting nude prepubescent and pubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct in a hidden folder on Adams' phone.

Federal investigators subsequently obtained a search warrant for the device. During a more extensive review, agents allegedly located additional videos depicting the sexual abuse of young children. Court documents describe videos showing prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct with adults.

Adams has been charged with one count of possession of child pornography, which is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a lifetime term of supervised release.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The Special Prosecutions Unit for the District of Oregon is prosecuting the case.

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

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Applications due by Nov. 30

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is seeking volunteers to serve on the Land and Water Conservation Fund grants advisory committee, also known as the Oregon Outdoor Recreation Committee. This nine-member grant advisory committee evaluates public outdoor recreation grant proposals submitted to OPRD for funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The open positions include:

• A member representing the disabilities community
• A member representing cities over 15,000 population
• A member representing counties east of the Cascades

Note: Candidates for the positions representing cities and counties must be professionally affiliated with a city, either through employment or in another professional capacity. OPRD will coordinate with organizations, including the Oregon Recreation and Park Association and the League of Oregon Cities, and the Association of Oregon Counties to designate nominees for these positions.

Those interested in serving must submit an interest form by Nov. 30, 2026.

OPRD will review the interest forms and follow up with potential members for informal interviews. Committee appointments are subject to confirmation by the OPRD director. Committee members serve four-year terms and may be reappointed for a second consecutive term.

Candidate qualities

Ideal candidates may reside anywhere in Oregon and bring experience in at least one of the following areas: public recreation provider, recreation planning or design, recreation-focused volunteerism, or lived experience that uniquely qualifies them to evaluate recreation project proposals. Strong candidates may also demonstrate an awareness of statewide recreation needs, broad recreation issues, and the importance of advancing equitable, inclusive, and accessible recreation opportunities.

Committee member responsibilities

The committee typically meets for a one- to two-day meeting in Salem to review proposals and hear applicant presentations before making funding recommendations to OPRD. Committee members may attend virtually.

Optional project site visits and additional meetings may be scheduled as needed. Time commitment varies and includes independently reviewing and evaluating an average of 15-20 applications prior to the grant meeting, which requires access to a personal computer and internet. State-mandated annual training is also required, generally taking only a few hours per year.

About the grant program

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Program is a competitive grant program funded by the National Park Service and administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Grants are awarded to local governments, federally recognized tribal governments and eligible state agencies for land acquisition, development and rehabilitation projects for public outdoor recreation areas and facilities.

For more information about the advisory committee or application process, contact Nohemi Enciso, LWCF Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 503-480-9092.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 5, 2026

NOTICE OF HOLIDAY CLOSURE

Veterans Day Holiday - Wednesday, November 11, 2026

(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman would like to remind citizens that government offices in the Douglas County Courthouse, 1036 SE Douglas Avenue in Roseburg, as well as the Douglas County Justice Building, Douglas County Courthouse Annex, Douglas County Fairgrounds, Douglas County Landfill and Transfer Sites, and All External Douglas County Government Offices will be closed to the public on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in observance of the Veterans Day Holiday.  As always, even when Douglas County government offices are closed, many officials and public employees are still working.

Please note the following:

• The Douglas County Board of Commissioners and designated department officials will continue to work on local projects regardless of the holiday.
• The Douglas County Museum of History and Natural History, as well as the Umpqua River Lighthouse Museum in Winchester Bay will be open for visitors on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, for normal business hours.
• All Douglas County operated parks, campgrounds and boat ramps will continue to be open and accessible to the public on Veterans Day.  For reservation information at Douglas County operated campgrounds, please call (541) 957-7001 or go online to https://douglascountyor.gov/802/Parks. 
• Salmon Harbor Marina docks, boat ramps, camping sites and the Winchester Bay RV Resort will be open and accessible to the public during this time.  For more information please call (541) 271-3407 or go online to https://douglascountyor.gov/448/Salmon-Harbor-Marina.  The Salmon Harbor Marina Office will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
• Even though the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) lobby entrance will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, our Sheriff’s Deputies, 911 communications and DCSO staff will continue to provide law enforcement protection and emergency assistance for our residents.  If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1.  If you need to reach dispatch for a non-emergency, call the DCSO non-emergency number at (541) 440-4471. 

Veterans Day, also referred to as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, is also celebrated in other parts of the world and marks the anniversary of the end of World War I. The war officially ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect.   United States President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day on November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”  The United States observed Armistice Day on November 11, until it evolved into the current Veterans Day holiday in 1954. 

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the 71^st Annual Douglas County Veterans Day Parade.  It is scheduled to take place in downtown Roseburg on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, starting at 11:00 am.  The Douglas County Veterans Day Parade has a long-standing tradition for supporting and honoring our veterans and has been held in Roseburg every year since 1955. The Douglas County Veterans Day also has a well-earned title as “Oregon’s Greatest Veterans Day Parade.” This year the parade theme is “Honoring America’s 250^th Anniversary – 1776-2026.”  The Douglas County Veterans Day Parade will follow the traditional route through downtown Roseburg starting on the corner of NE Jackson Street and NE Diamond Lake Blvd traveling up Jackson St, turning left onto SE Lane Street, then left onto SE Main Street and concluding in front of the Douglas County Courthouse on SE Douglas Avenue.  We encourage citizens to make sure they fill ALL spaces along the entire parade route (both sides of the street and sidewalks) to make sure that our participating veterans receive ample accolades for their devotion to duty while servicing our county.  For more information about the parade visit https://douglascountyor.gov/507/Veterans-Day-Parade-Committee

Also, check out other Veterans Day celebrations in Douglas County honoring our veterans.

• The City of Canyonville will host their annual Veterans Day Remembrance Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11 at 11:00 am at the Veterans Memorial in front of Canyonville City Hall (250 N Main Street).  The event features a 30-minute program including guest speakers, musical tributes, a community flyover (weather permitting), and light refreshments served afterward.  For more information visit https://umpqua.edu/news/ucc-concert-band-and-roseburg-concert-chorale-present-veterans-day-concert/

• The Umpqua Community College Performing and Visual Arts Department presents the UCC Symphonic Band and Roseburg Concert Chorale in a special Veterans Day Concert on Wednesday, November 11 at 7:00 pm in Jacoby Auditorium.  The UCC Symphonic Band, under the direction of Jeff Soffer, and the Roseburg Concert Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Jason Heald, will perform an evening of rousing patriotic favorites and exciting traditional selections. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/jacoby-auditorium/veterans-day-concert/1090644907122304/

As a reminder, the Commissioners issued a proclamation dedicating November 2026 as Veterans and Military Families Month in Douglas County and encourage all citizens to take a moment to thank our all of our Veterans for their valued service, bravery and sacrifice.  In addition to the proclamation, the Commissioners announced that Douglas County is once again participating in Operation Green Light during the month of November.  The front of the Douglas County Courthouse is illuminated with green lights to show our appreciation and support for veterans and their families.  We encourage everyone to “shine” a light of hope and support for veterans by placing a green light on their porch or outside light fixture during the month of November.   

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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Chief Public Information Officer | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office Phone: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: [email protected]">[email protected]

November 5, 2026

Media contact: Kim Lippert, [email protected]" rel="noopener" target="_blank">[email protected]

New behavioral health treatment beds open in Marion County

Salem, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority (OHA) celebrates the opening of nine new residential treatment beds at Sanctuary, LLC, in Turner, expanding access to treatment and strengthening Oregon’s behavioral health system.

The opening creates more placement options for those with mental health needs, including those involved with the forensic behavioral health system, to receive care in a community-based setting that may be closer to home.

“OHA is committed to expanding access to behavioral health treatment so more people can get the care they need, where they need it and when they need it,” said Ebony Clarke, Behavioral Health director at OHA. “A strong behavioral health continuum must support the whole person, addressing individual needs through person-centered, trauma-informed care.” 

Adult bed capacity in the state has expanded through Behavioral Health Investment program funding: 350 new licensed residential beds and 488 new non-licensed beds and units are now open across the state due to dedicated funding.  

OHA provided $239,677 in funding for the facility through House Bill 2059, which passed in the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill provided OHA $65 million to increase residential behavioral health capacity throughout the state.

“Sanctuary was built on the belief that recovery begins with feeling safe, heard, and respected,” said Moses Malibet, director, Sanctuary Agency LLC. “Our commitment is to provide individualized, trauma-informed mental health care that honors each person’s identity, culture, and lived experience. Working alongside OHA and community partners, we want to create a place where belonging is part of care, and every resident has support to pursue a meaningful life.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 5, 2026

USAO-OR.gov | @USAO_OR

Mexican National Unlawfully Residing in the United States Charged with Laundering Drug Proceeds and Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm

EUGENE, Ore.— A Mexican national unlawfully residing in the United States has been charged with laundering purported drug proceeds and being an alien in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced today.

According to court documents, Esteban Peralta Fragozo, 50, of Springfield, Oregon, owned and operated El Kaiman Western Wear, a Springfield business that sold clothing and provided international money transfer services. Investigators with Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) allege that Fragozo used the business to launder drug trafficking proceeds through wire transfers sent to Mexico and Honduras.

Court documents allege that between January 2018 and July 2026, El Kaiman processed approximately 179,874 wire transfers totaling more than $93 million. Investigators further allege that more than $34 million in suspected drug proceeds were transmitted from Springfield to drug-trafficking corridors in Mexico and Honduras during that period.

As part of the investigation, law enforcement conducted a series of undercover operations using a confidential informant. According to the complaint, Fragozo processed multiple wire transfers after being told the funds were derived from drug trafficking and used false sender information and identification documents to complete the transactions.

The complaint further alleges that drug traffickers used El Kaiman to transmit proceeds derived from narcotics trafficking. In one instance detailed in court records, investigators recovered wire transfer receipts from El Kaiman during a traffic stop that resulted in the seizure of approximately 72 pounds of methamphetamine.

On Nov. 4, 2026, federal agents executed search warrants at Fragozo's residence, business, vehicle, and on his person. During a search of the business, agents recovered a Ruger 9mm pistol, ammunition, and bulk currency. According to court documents, Fragozo admitted possessing the firearm and acknowledged that he did not have lawful immigration status in the United States.

“As alleged, the defendant was illegally present in the United States while using his business to launder millions of dollars in drug trafficking proceeds and unlawfully possessing a firearm,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “Drug trafficking organizations depend on financial facilitators to move and hide their criminal profits. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to identify, dismantle, and prosecute the financial infrastructure that supports transnational drug trafficking organizations and fuels the flow of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs into our communities.”

According to the complaint, investigators have observed a dramatic increase in drug trafficking activity involving Honduran nationals in Oregon. Court documents allege that Mexican drug trafficking organizations increasingly use Honduran nationals to distribute fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics in major metropolitan areas, including the Portland metropolitan area.

Fragozo made his initial appearance in federal court on Nov. 4, 2026, before a U.S. magistrate judge and was ordered detained pending further proceedings.

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

The case is being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julia Jarrett and Christopher Cardani are prosecuting the case.

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UNLAWFUL LIGHTS ON MOTOR VEHICLES
 

With the sun setting earlier in the fall and winter, it is easy to notice the variety of headlights on the road. There can be confusion about the color of lights vehicles can lawfully displayed while travelling on Oregon’s public highways. Although there may be after-market headlights, bulbs, and light bars available at local shops, including those with a blueish or greenish color, many are not legal to use in Oregon. Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 816.050 states that headlights shall show a white light described in Standard Number 108 of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

ORS 816.360 also addresses the use of prohibited lighting equipment for motor vehicles in Oregon. The penalty for not complying with this law, should a motorist be cited, is a Class C infraction. The fine imposed by a court can range from $80 to $500.

The law states the following:

• All headlamps must be white in color as defined by Society of Automotive Engineers and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 108. White lamps have been tested to meet all headlamp requirements.
• Maximum wattage allowed in a headlight or accessory light is 70 watts.
• FMVSS 108 disallows any color coating on headlights and/or headlight bulbs.
• Blue and green lamps are designated for use on emergency vehicles only.
• Red lamps to front are reserved for emergency vehicles and school bus warning lamps.
• Colored bulbs give a distorted headlamp pattern, which may prevent the driver from seeing a person or object at the road edge or starting to cross the road.
• Blue or other colored lights in the taillights of a motor vehicle are also prohibited, unless the vehicle was manufactured before 1959.

Markings on headlights and their packaging typically indicate if the product is Department of Transportation (DOT) approved. If the bulb or headlight packaging doesn’t include this information, more research should be conducted before making your purchase.

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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Cannabis harms, benefits described in new public health statements

OHA revises, expands statements published after Measure 91 passage in 2014

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority has published updated public health statements offering guidance to clinicians, local public health agencies, legislators and the public on the potential harms and benefits of cannabis use.

Based on extensive review of scientific literature and key reports from around the world, the 2026 Cannabis Public Health Statements expand and revise previous statements an OHA-convened Retail Marijuana Scientific Advisory Committee developed in 2015. The earlier statements, which were updated in 2017, were created following the 2014 passage of Measure 91, which legalized recreational marijuana use, sale, and possession.

Cannabis policy and science has changed considerably since 2017. “We set out to capture as much recent data and evidence as possible, from hundreds of studies and reports, to provide a comprehensive picture of the potential health harms and health benefits of cannabis use,” said Tom Jeanne, M.D., M.P.H., deputy state health officer and epidemiologist at the OHA Public Health Division.

The statements are for educational purposes and are not a substitute for medical care or consultation with a health care professional. 

The summary accompanying the statements describes cannabis terminology, cannabis products and potency, how cannabis is consumed, and recommendations for individuals considering cannabis use. The summary also offers guidance on interpreting the public health statements, including cautioning that health outcomes described as “linked to” or having an association with cannabis use or exposure do not prove causation.

The statements’ findings include moderate or strong evidence linking cannabis use and health harms. Those include:

• Respiratory health—Respiratory diseases and symptoms related to particulate matter in smoke; chronic bronchitis from heavy smoking; e-cigarette or vaping product use-related lung injury.
• Cardiovascular and metabolic health—Heart attack and stroke; cancer; pre-cancerous changes in the lungs, related to cancer-causing chemicals present in cannabis smoke (both firsthand and secondhand smoke); testicular cancer.
• Injuries—Motor vehicle crashes when driving after cannabis use; severe burn injuries from vaporizing device failures and home butane extraction of hash oil; toxicity and poisoning, sometimes requiring emergency department visits or hospitalization.
• Neurological health—Impairments in memory, attention, decision making, and learning; up to a month after use for frequent cannabis use.
• Mental health and substance use—Suicide; psychosis, including schizophrenia, especially people with long-term use, adolescents, and people using high-THC products; cannabis use disorder from frequent cannabis use and use of high-THC products; worsening of bipolar disorder.
• Reproductive health and early child development—Fetal health effects from maternal use during pregnancy, including infants being born small for gestational age or with low birthweight; attention problems, reduced cognitive function, and decreased academic ability and IQ scores in children after maternal use during pregnancy.
• Cannabis use in childhood and young adulthood—Low academic achievement, such as not graduating from high school; developing cannabis use dependence or disorder as an adult; high-risk use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs as an adult; increased psychotic symptoms and disorders such as schizophrenia in adulthood, from regular use; depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts; poisoning of children consuming cannabis edibles, causing severe health effects that may require hospitalization.
• Other health topics—Gastrointestinal effects, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; long-term use is associated with cannabis hyperemesis disorder (severe, re-occurring vomiting).

Findings of moderate or strong evidence linking cannabis use and health benefits included:

• Respiratory conditions—Short-term improvement of airflow in the lungs.
• Cancer—Treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting with pharmaceutical THC (dronabinol).
• Neurological health—Treatment for specific types of seizure disorders or epilepsy (pediatric Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex) with pharmaceutical CBD (Epidiolex); treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) spasticity symptoms with pharmaceutical nabiximols; improvements in chronic pain in adults, especially with oral or sublingual cannabinoids (nabiximols, nabilone, dronabinol)

The summary describes limitations with some of the Cannabis Public Health Statements, noting that “A few health statements are listed that have ‘insufficient evidence’ because they were included in other major reviews or prior Oregon health statements.” The summary also points out that “Due to the evolution of cannabis products, and lack of clarity in the research, actual risks could vary by product type (for example, smoked, edible, or vaporized), and by the amount of THC, CBD, and other ingredients or additives in products.”

In addition, according to summary authors, the review was conducted with a small team of OHA staff with limited resources, and as such, “our approach was not as in depth as a very large review, such as reviews by the Cochrane Collaboration or the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.”

“Although we aimed to conduct a comprehensive review, these findings should not be taken to be exhaustive and representative of the entire body of cannabis health effects research, which is constantly expanding,” summary authors wrote.

###

The Lane County Elections Office has resumed processing ballots and will have updated results by 5:00 p.m. today.

Yesterday, ballot sorting equipment at the Lane County Elections Office stopped working due to a clog in an inkjet line that prints the date and time a ballot is sorted onto the return envelopes. The issue paused ballot processing for several hours on November 4.

“Our sorting equipment is older and that may have contributed to yesterday’s issue,” said County Clerk Tommy Gong. “We’ve been able to resume processing ballots and if you watch our livestream today you’ll see lots of activity in the office this afternoon. It’s important voters know there have been no issues with our counting machines and we are confident we’ll be able to count every vote accurately and efficiently.”

To resume processing ballots, the decision was made to suspend the printed time and date stamps on the return envelopes. Each ballot return envelope also has a unique barcode that is scanned by the sorting equipment and it logs the time and date electronically.

An updated results reporting schedule is available online. All results are unofficial until certification on November 25, 2026.

More information about ballot processing and election security is available at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/ElectionSecurity.

About the Lane County Elections Office:

The Elections Office, located at 275 W. 10^th Avenue in Eugene, is responsible for conducting elections in Lane County.  The Elections Office manages voter registration, the processing of mail ballots, recruitment and training of election workers, and certification of elections.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 4, 2026

USAO-OR.gov | @USAO_OR

Former Oregon Lumber Company Bookkeeper Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Nearly $1 Million From Employer Over Decade-Long Scheme

PORTLAND, Ore.— U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced today that Christina Klauda, 53, of Riddle, Oregon, has pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and two counts of making and subscribing false federal income tax returns for a years-long embezzlement and tax fraud scheme that targeted her former employer.

According to court documents, Klauda served as the office manager and bookkeeper for Tower Timber Services, Inc., a lumber company based in Riddle, Oregon, beginning in 2014. In that role, she was responsible for payroll, accounts payable, invoicing, employee dispatch and preparation of employee tax forms.

Klauda admitted that she used her position of trust and control over the company's financial systems to systematically steal from Tower Timber from 2014 through 2023. The government estimates the company's losses at more than $1.08 million, while Klauda acknowledges losses of at least $944,371.97.

According to the plea agreement, Klauda began the scheme by increasing her hourly and overtime rates and overstating her work hours in the company's payroll system. Beginning in 2018, she created a second employee profile in the company's accounting software and arranged to receive duplicate payroll payments. Klauda received one payment through direct deposit and a second payment through paper checks that she concealed by deleting records of the transactions from the accounting software.

Klauda also admitted to using the company owner's signature stamp without authorization to issue additional checks to herself and her personal creditors. She disguised these payments as loans, reimbursements or draws, removed the transactions from company records, and failed to report the income to the Internal Revenue Service.

As part of the scheme, Klauda filed false federal income tax returns for tax years 2018 and 2019 by failing to report income she had stolen from the company. Specifically, she failed to report approximately $38,140 in income in 2018 and $74,144 in income in 2019, causing a total tax loss of $27,985.

The bank fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison, a $1 million fine and five years of supervised release. Each tax fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison, a $100,000 fine and one year of supervised release.

Klauda has also agreed to pay restitution to the victims. The parties estimate total restitution will be between approximately $972,356.97 and $1,111,771.56, including losses sustained by Tower Timber and the IRS.

The case was investigated by the IRS-Criminal Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine A. Rykken is prosecuting the case.

###

LANE COUNTY, Ore. (4 Nov. 2026) – On Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a report of a single-vehicle crash on Highway 36 near milepost 5.2 in Lane County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a black Audi Q3, operated by Jarod Layne Upham (47) of Swisshome, was traveling westbound on Highway 36 near Florence when it left the roadway for an unknown reason and entered the westbound shoulder. The vehicle traveled up an embankment, struck a boulder, and rolled over, causing the operator to be ejected from the vehicle.

The operator of the Audi (Upham) was pronounced deceased at the scene despite life-saving efforts by bystanders. Upham is not believed to have been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

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

OSP was assisted by the Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

# # #

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 4, 2026

USAO-OR.gov | @USAO_OR

Warm Springs Man Indicted for Assaulting Two Children and Strangling Intimate Partner on Warm Springs Reservation

PORTLAND, Ore.— A federal grand jury in Portland has returned a five-count indictment charging Cedrick Bruce Davis, 25, with assault offenses stemming from the alleged abuse of two young children and the strangulation of an intimate partner on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced today.

According to court documents, Davis, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to commit murder, two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and one count of assault by strangulation.

“The conduct alleged in this indictment is shocking and deeply disturbing,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford. “No child should endure this kind of abuse, and no victim should live in fear of violence in their own home. Our office remains committed to working alongside Tribal, local, and federal law enforcement partners to investigate violent crimes in Indian Country and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”

The indictment alleges that, between Oct. 19 and Oct. 22, 2026, Davis assaulted two minor victims on the Warm Springs Reservation. Federal prosecutors allege that Davis strangled both children with the intent to commit murder and caused serious bodily injury by striking and wounding them. The indictment further alleges that Davis assaulted and attempted to strangle an adult victim.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, officers with the Warm Springs Police Department responded to a residence on Oct. 22, 2026, after the adult victim called 911 seeking assistance because she did not feel safe. When officers arrived, a responding officer observed substantial injuries to both children, including facial swelling, bruising and visible trauma. The responding officer asked one of the minor victims about an injury to her face, and the child identified “Cedrick” as the person who caused it.

Court documents allege that the adult victim told investigators Davis assaulted her and the two children over several days. She reported that Davis strangled both children, struck them with his fists and a BB gun, bit them, threw them and struck their heads together. The adult victim further reported that Davis strangled her, struck her in the ribs with a BB gun and held a knife to her neck during her attempts to protect the children.

Court documents further allege that Davis waived his Miranda rights and admitted to physically assaulting the victims. Investigators reported that Davis acknowledged slapping the children in the face, striking their heads together and strangling each child on multiple occasions. According to the affidavit, Davis stated that one child lost consciousness during a strangulation assault. Davis also allegedly admitted strangling the adult victim and striking her in the abdomen.

If convicted, assault with intent to commit murder carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Assault resulting in serious bodily injury carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, and assault by strangulation carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Warm Springs Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Arin C. Heinz of the District of Oregon's Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

###

(Portland, Ore.) - The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) congratulates Governor Tina Kotek and all ONA-endorsed candidates who won their elections.

This election presented a clear choice, and Oregonians made their voices heard. Voters chose leaders committed to protecting and expanding access to healthcare, defending workers’ rights, and putting people—not corporate interests—first. That choice also meant electing a governor who signed Oregon’s landmark hospital safe staffing law over a candidate who opposed it, and rejecting efforts to weaken the critical patient protections the law provides.

Governor Kotek has been a strong champion of these priorities, consistently standing up to corporate interests that put profits ahead of patient care. We look forward to continuing our partnership with her to expand access to healthcare and strengthen Oregon's landmark hospital nurse staffing law, which helps ensure every patient receives safe, high-quality care. Protecting these standards from corporate influence and hospital industry lobbying will remain a top priority for nurses and other frontline healthcare professionals across Oregon.

This election also sent a powerful message beyond Oregon's borders. Across the country, voters elected a new generation of leaders, breaking barriers and making history in states where these victories might once have seemed unimaginable. From local races to the halls of Congress, voters chose leaders who better reflect the diversity of our communities, signaling a changing America and a desire for politics that puts people first.

These results reflect a rejection of the Trump administration's agenda, including policies that threaten to strip healthcare and food assistance from working families and vulnerable communities. By electing leaders prepared to stand up to the attacks from the federal government, voters reaffirmed their commitment to a country—and an Oregon—where everyone can live safely, with dignity, and with access to the high-quality healthcare they deserve.

ONA looks forward to continuing our work with Governor Kotek and elected leaders across Oregon and the country to protect patients, strengthen our communities, and ensure every Oregonian has access to the high-quality healthcare they deserve.

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 26,000 nurses and healthcare professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses and healthcare professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all healthcare professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.

In total, ODF brought in 280 resources from 19 states, provinces and territories to support Oregon’s 2026 fire season.

“This season was one of the most demanding fire seasons we’ve ever experienced,” said Kyle Williams, ODF Deputy Director of Fire Operations. “The rapidly-changing and extreme fire conditions again tested the entire system nationwide, but everyone gave it all they had.”

The end of fire season removes ODF-imposed fire restrictions on ODF-protected lands. However, many structural fire departments in Oregon may still require a permit for debris burning, and slash burning requires a permit year-round, so check the Before You Burn website or contact your local ODF office before starting a burn.

As Oregon transitions to fall and winter, ODF districts and fire managers across the state are shifting their attention to wildfire prevention, fuels reduction, mitigation and planning efforts.

For more tips on how to keep yourself, your loved ones and your property safe from wildfire at any time of year, visit ODF’s Fire Prevention website or Keep Oregon Green’s website.

Ballot sorting equipment at the Lane County Elections Office stopped working this morning due to a clog in an inkjet line, bringing ballot processing to a pause and delaying updated results.

The high-speed sorting equipment is a critical part of how ballots are processed in Lane County. Given the level of voter turnout and the number of ballots remaining to be counted, using a manual process during the machine’s down time was not feasible.

“We understand this delay is disappointing to many people in our community,” said County Clerk Tommy Gong. “We’re appreciative of the technicians who are working to get us back up and running this afternoon. We anticipate our next round of election results will be available tomorrow.”

An updated election results posting schedule will be made available online after the equipment is repaired and processing can resume. All results are unofficial until certification on November 25, 2026.

More information about ballot processing and election security is available at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/ElectionSecurity.

About the Lane County Elections Office:

The Elections Office, located at 275 W. 10^th Avenue in Eugene, is responsible for conducting elections in Lane County.  The Elections Office manages voter registration, the processing of mail ballots, recruitment and training of election workers, and certification of elections.

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PRIVATE SECURITY/INVESTIGATOR POLICY COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Private Security/Investigator Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., in the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST or Department) located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167.

To view the Private Security/Investigator Policy Committee's live-stream and other recorded videos, please visit DPSST’s official YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. Click or tap if you trust this link.">https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST.

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approve August 18, 2026, Meeting Minutes

3. Blaine F. England, PS No. 110275

   Notice of Intent to Propose Civil Penalty

   Presented by Michael Holsapple

4. Herbert L. Horne, PS No. 064597

   Notice of Intent to Propose Civil Penalty

   Presented by Michael Holsapple

5. Kanoe K. Kaaihue-Braun, PS No. 104217

   Notice of Intent to Propose Civil Penalty

   Presented by Michael Holsapple

6. Cameron D. Palm, PS No. 065702

   Notice of Intent to Propose Civil Penalty

   Presented by Michael Holsapple

7. Mailau H. Penitani, PS No. 123223

   Notice of Intent to Propose Civil Penalty

   Presented by Michael Holsapple

8. Franco J. Pina Vera, PS No. 125176

   Notice of Intent to Propose Civil Penalty

   Presented by Michael Holsapple

9. Leonardo R. Ugarte, PS No. 113916

   Notice of Intent to Propose Civil Penalty

   Presented by Michael Holsapple

10. Agency Update

11. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting – February 16, 2027, at 1:30 p.m.

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Private Security/Private Investigations Policy Committee members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.

DPSST provides reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access for people with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. To request a sign language interpreter, translation services, or other accommodations, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or at [email protected]">[email protected], at least 48 hours before the meeting.

DPSST proporciona acomodaciones rasonables para asegurar el acceso igual para personas con descapacidades y para personas con competencia limitada de inglés. Para pedir un interprete de lengua de señas, servicios de traducción, u otras acomodaciones, por favor de contactar a Juan Lopez marcando al (503) 551-3167, o a [email protected]">[email protected], al menos de 48 horas antes de la reunión.

COOS COUNTY, Ore. (4 Nov. 2026) – On Monday, November 2, 2026, at approximately 2:34 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 42S near milepost 13.8 in Coos County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a black Subaru Outback, operated by Joanne Marie Rutland (56) of Hillsboro, was traveling westbound on Highway 42S near Coquille when it failed to negotiate a sharp curve and departed the roadway. The vehicle traveled down an embankment, struck a tree, and continued down a steep embankment before coming to a final rest. The vehicle subsequently caught fire.

The operator of the Subaru (Rutland) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The highway was impacted for approximately 30 minutes during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, Coquille Fire Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
 

# # #

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

ST. HELENS, Ore. (4 Nov. 2026) – On Monday, November 2, 2026, the Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division responded to a report of the unlawful take of a buck deer within the city limits of St. Helens.

 A deceased 4x2 buck with an arrow protruding from its abdomen was found in a green space owned by the City of St. Helens near South 7^th Street. The deer reportedly frequented this area of the city and was most likely shot within the general vicinity of where it was found.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oregon State Police at 800-442-0776 or call OSP (677) from a mobile phone. Please reference case number SP26-359928.

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators

The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board.

The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.  

Preference Point Rewards

5 Points: Bighorn Sheep

5 Points: Rocky Mountain Goat

5 Points: Moose

5 Points: Wolf

4 Points: Elk

4 Points: Deer

4 Points: Pronghorn Antelope

4 Points: Bear

4 Points: Cougar

The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling license or tag, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.

Cash Rewards

Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) cash rewards:

$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, or Moose

$1,000 Elk, Deer, or Antelope

$600 Bear, Cougar, or Wolf
$400 Game Fish & Shellfish
$400 Snagging/Attempt to Snag

$300 Habitat destruction

$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags

$200 Unlawful lending/borrowing big game tag(s)

$200 Game Birds or Furbearers

$200 Spotlighting

Rewards for Game Fish & Shellfish and Snagging/Attempting to Snag are sponsored, in part, by Northwest Steelheaders Association and Coastal Conservation Association.

Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:

$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey

$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox

$1,000 Species listed as “threatened" or “endangered" under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish)
$10,000 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and $11,500 for Wolves east of Highway 395 and north of Highway 20

Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards:

$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity:

TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP (677)

TIP email: [email protected] (monitored Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

For more information visit the Oregon State Police Turn-in-Poachers (TIP) web page.

# # #

About the Oregon State Police

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

SALEM, Oregon—The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will convene Nov. 17-18 in Newport.

On Nov. 17, commissioners will tour Beverly Beach State Park and hold a work session from 1:00 to 4 p.m. providing background on recreation grant programs and impacts of park user fees.

On Nov. 18, commissioners will convene an executive session at 8:30 a.m. to discuss acquisition priorities and opportunities, and potential litigation. The Executive Session will be held pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(e) and (h) and is closed to the public.

A business meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Beverly Beach State Park Meeting Yurt, 198 NE 123th Street in Newport. The business meeting is open to the public. All public commission meetings are streamed live to YouTube.

Anyone may attend or listen to the business meeting; instructions on how to listen will be posted on the commission web page prior to the meeting.The business meeting includes time for informal public comment not related to items on the agenda.

Registration is required to speak during the informal public comment portion. Register online by 5 p.m. on Nov. 16 to speak at the virtual meeting. Time per speaker is limited to three minutes. Please submit written public comments by 5 p.m. Nov. 16 to [email protected]">[email protected].  

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

• Update on acquisition and management of Abiqua Falls properties.
• Request to approve intergovernmental agreement for fire protection.
• Request to approve local government grant recommendations .
• Request to approve name of the Tryon Creek Education Pavilion.

Anyone needing special accommodations to attend the meeting should contact Jayme Jones, commission assistant, at least three days in advance at [email protected] or 971-707-2175.

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

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is inviting Portland General Electric (PGE) customers and community members to comment on the company’s request to increase customer rates. Comments may be submitted in several ways, including during a virtual public meeting on November 10, 2026.

Comment via Zoom or phone 
Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 6 p.m. Pacific Time via Zoom or by phone.

This virtual meeting will include an overview of PGE’s request to increase customer rates and an opportunity for participants to provide comments. To participate, members of the public must have joined the virtual meeting by 6:30 p.m. PT. Spanish translation services are available for Zoom participants.

Join the meeting: https://bit.ly/4jZFMWM   

Other ways to submit comments 
Comments may also be submitted through any of the following methods:

• Online Public Comment Form: https://bit.ly/3TR5Qca

• Email: [email protected]">[email protected]

• Phone: 503-378-6600 or 800-522-2404 (all relay calls accepted)

• Mail:
  Oregon Public Utility Commission
  Attn: AHD – UE 473 
  PO Box 1088 
  Salem OR 97308-1088 

About PGE's rate change proposal

PGE has proposed increasing the amount of total revenue it collects from Oregon customers by $178.8 million, or about 4.8 percent for all customer types combined. Actual bill impacts will vary depending on customer type (residential, commercial, industrial, or data centers) and energy usage. The company reports this increase is needed to make significant infrastructure investments, and the recovery of operations and maintenance and capital costs related to production, transmission, and distribution. PGE says it is making investments in the transmission and distribution system to advance clean energy in the future and allow energy to flow in more directions to support changing customer needs. PGE has other projects that are addressing the aging infrastructure to better withstand weather events and enhance resilience and reliability.

PGE’s general rate case filing is undergoing a nearly year-long review and will be fully investigated on behalf of customers by the PUC, the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board, among others. This public meeting is part of that review. The Commission will issue a final decision in June of next year and any approved rate changes would take effect by July 4, 2027.

Stay informed 
Individuals may request to be added to the distribution list to receive publicly available documents throughout this case. To be added, email [email protected]">[email protected] or call 503-378-6678. Please reference Docket No. UE 473 in your request.

# # #

Docket: UE 473

PACIFIC CITY, Ore. — Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will host its last virtual townhall meeting 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18 by Zoom webinar to discuss the proposed tidal wetland restoration and community resiliency project at Sitka Sedge State Natural Area.

OPRD and project partner, Tillamook Estuaries Partnership, are designing a tidal wetland and fish habitat restoration project at the natural area that includes a proposed setback dike to replace the tide control function of the existing dike, which has been failing.

The proposed project is designed to help protect nearby public and private infrastructure and improve long-term management of the natural area while supporting the ecological health of the estuary and restoring fish passage to its tributary streams. By moving the dike further inland, the project would create more room for natural coastal processes and help the site and its surroundings better adapt to future changes including sea level rise.

This informational meeting will include a presentation and time for questions. 

Join the webinar or find a recording online afterward at OPRD’s YouTube channel.

Special accommodations may be arranged up to 72 hours in advance to improve accessibility by emailing [email protected]?subject=Sitka%20Sedge%20State%20Natural%20Area%20Town%20Hall%20November%202026%20Accommodations%20Request">[email protected]. 

Visit the website to learn more about the project, including a fact page on the right-hand side.