The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Rogue Valley Weather
...AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST FRIDAY... * WHAT...A ridge of high pressure will lead to a strong inversion and stagnant air conditions near the surface that will continue to trap pollutants. This could worsen air quality over time. * WHERE...Valley locations across southern Oregon. West of the Cascades, this includes the Umpqua, Illinois, Applegate, and Rogue valleys. East of the Cascades, this includes Klamath Falls, Sprague River, Chiloquin, Chemult, Silver Lake, Paisley, and surrounding areas. * WHEN...Until 4 PM PST Friday. * IMPACTS...Poor air quality may cause issues for people with respiratory problems.
Be Prepared for Winter Weather
Another very cold morning for our region. Our valleys stuck with clouds and freezing fog in the morning.
A blanket of thick fog has descended over the Northwest as December weather seizes the country. A “Dense Fog Advisory” has been issued by the National Weather Service for much of Oregon.
“Air Stagnation Advisories” have also been issued across Oregon, Idaho and parts of Washington. “Stagnant air conditions over parts of the Pacific Northwest, leading to areas of dense fog and poor air quality,” the NWS said in a short range public discussion.
These atmospheric conditions may lead to “hazardous” conditions on the roads, with the NWS advising drivers to take care.
The NWS explains that a Dense Fog Advisory is put into place “when widespread fog is expected to reduce visibilities to 1/4 mile or less over a large area for an extended period of time (2 or more hours),” while an Air Stagnation Advisory is given when “major buildups of air pollution, smoke, dust, or industrial gases are expected near the ground for a period of time.”
As winter storms and extreme weather events impact communities, Oregon residents are reminded to be prepared for potential power outages, the Oregon Public Utility Commission says.
Heavy snow, ice, and high winds can damage power lines and disrupt electricity, sometimes leading to extended outages. Weather conditions in specific geographies may also cause electric utilities to adjust system settings, which can result in more frequent or longer outages.
Prepare your home and business in case a winter storm leads to a power outage: Be two weeks ready – Gather food, medical supplies, batteries, pet supplies, and other essentials needed by family members during an outage or evacuation for up to two weeks.
Learn more about what supplies to consider. Charge your devices: Keep cell phones fully charged in anticipation
of an outage. Consider a car charger for phones and other electronic devices. And, Use generators safely – Never operate a generator inside your home or garage, or near windows or vents, to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. https://www.oregon.gov/oem/hazardsprep/Pages/2-Weeks-Ready.aspx
Snow in Mountain Passes
Travelers should bring chains when headed over the Cascade, Willamette and Santiam Passes.
ODOT urges drivers to follow several key tips to stay safe:
- Turn on your windshield wipers and headlights
- Slow down and avoid cruise control
- Increase your stopping distance and steer clear of standing water
- Carry chains and check road conditions before traveling
using TripCheck.com or by calling 511. - Pack an emergency kit with a flashlight, phone charger, warm clothes, food, and water in case you get
stuck. - Be aware of the dangers of black ice, which can be even more hazardous than snow.
- Drivers should always be prepared for sudden weather changes—especially in higher elevations.
Multiple winter storm warnings have been issued across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, urging people to avoid travel due to heavy snow expected in these states. In Oregon, warnings cover various counties, including portions of highways 97, 58, 230, 138, 62, 140, and 66. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Medford and Portland emphasized the potential for very difficult driving conditions and advised extreme caution if travel is necessary.
Traveling on Forest Service Roads
Some winter driving tips: 
Bring a map. Don’t rely on your phone for navigation or communication as coverage may be unavailable. Drivers should exercise caution as Forest Roads may not be maintained for winter travel. Winter weather can quickly alter driving conditions. Turn around if conditions warrant or your vehicle is not equipped to continue. Stay safe out there!
Southern Oregon Nonprofits Receive $545,000 Funding Boost
Oregon Community Foundation Distributes Record Investments in 2024, Announces New Grant Opportunities for 2025
MEDFORD, Ore. – Healthy meals for kids in Grants Pass. Wildfire resilience education. Expanded services to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. These are just a few of the projects and programs in Southern Oregon receiving a $545,000 boost from the 2024 Fall Cycle of Community Grants from Oregon Community Foundation. The statewide funder has distributed 26 new grants in Southern Oregon to support capacity building, small capital and new or expanding projects by nonprofits.
The announcement comes on #GivingTuesday, an international day of generosity that follows Thanksgiving.
Statewide, the new round of funding includes 248 grants for nearly $5.8 million. That brings the total awarded in Community Grants by OCF to a record $11.1 million for the year, including funding previously announced in the spring.
“Community Grants are OCF’s ‘open door’ for nonprofits working to improve the lives of people in Southern Oregon in so many ways,” says OCF Board Member and United Way of Jackson County CEO and Executive Director Dee Anne Everson.
“Sometimes that’s wildfire resilience programs or a kitchen that serves kids in need. And other times, what’s needed is a vehicle that helps a program reach rural communities. The goal is to support what’s working.”
The grants are possible because of the generosity of Oregon Community Foundation donors.
Just as the new funding reaches Oregon nonprofits, OCF has opened the next round of Community Grants to be distributed in spring 2025. The deadline is Jan. 14, 2025. Find details here. The goal is to provide equitable access to flexible funding for organizations serving communities’ most pressing needs throughout Oregon.
Find the full list of fall 2024 grantees here. The list below of representative grants demonstrates the breadth of impact the funding has on nearly every aspect of life for Oregonians.
Man Arrested in Eagle Point Knife Attack
Arrest Made in Assault 1 / Unlawful Use of a Weapon / Harassment
On 12-02-24 at approximately 5:38pm, Officers from the Eagle Point Police Department were dispatched to a report of a menacing with a knife and a physical altercation in the 300 Blk of Lorraine Ave in Eagle Point. Deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office also responded to assist with the incident.
As officers were responding, additional information was relayed by dispatch that the suspect was being detained by one of the residents and was reported to have brandished a knife.
As officers arrived on scene, they learned there had been a physical altercation between the suspect, later identified as Anthony Holzhauer, and the victim, Webster Jackson. During the altercation, Holzhauer produced a knife and cut Jackson several times.
Holzhauer was eventually pinned down by Jackson as neighbors began calling 911. Officers arrived and detained Holzhauer without further incident. Through the investigation, officers were able to determine the altercation was over a disagreement about money and Holzhauer initiated the fight. Holzhauer used his knife to assault Jackson, resulting in several non-life-threatening cuts to the head, face and body. Jackson was later transported to the hospital where he was treated and released.
Holzhauer was later transported and lodged at the Jackson County Jail on the listed charges. The case will be referred for review and filing of charges to the District Attorney’s Office. There were no other victims in this case and no additional threat to the public. Based on facts known about the incident, this was an isolated altercation between the two listed individuals. No additional information available currently as the case is still under investigation.
Medford Police – 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗳𝘁!
Businesses interested in joining these efforts can contact Lt. Don Lane at 541-774-2292. This detail was supported by a grant from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission.
Sheriff’s Deputies Arrest South Medford Man After Child Porn Investigation
JCSO Case 23-2054 — Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies arrested a south Medford man on child pornography charges yesterday morning, November 26, after a lengthy investigation. The suspect, David Lee Hurd, 54, of Medford, is charged with 10 felony counts of second-degree encouraging child sexual abuse. He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail.
The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) began the investigation in 2023 after a tip came in from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The task force served a search warrant in August of 2023 and seized digital devices from Hurd’s residence in the 3700 block of South Pacific Highway in south Medford. Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force (SOHTCTF) forensically examined the digital devices for evidence of child exploitation.
SOCET is a joint inter-agency task force that started in June of 2020 to combat child exploitation. The task force consists of investigators from JCSO, Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as well as prosecutors from our local, state and federal law enforcement partners in Jackson and Josephine County. SOHTCTF is a joint inter-agency task force that consists of investigators from JCSO, HSI, Oregon State Police, and Medford Police Department. The case will be prosecuted by the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. There is no further information available for release.
Jacksonville Kicks Off Victorian Christmas!
Jacksonville kicked off Victorian Christmas season with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony outside Jacksonville’s City Hall. The Victorian Christmas pays homage to the city’s history as a gold rush town during the mid 1800’s.
Visitors enjoyed hot drinks and snacks while waiting in anticipation for the festive lights to brighten the city.
After all the caroling and storytelling, everyone was welcomed to an evening of holiday shopping in the historic landmark town.
Other events in Jacksonville this holiday season include the annual holiday parade at 10 a.m. next Saturday and the new holiday trolley light tour. MORE INFO: https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleOregon For trolley light tour tickets visit Christmasinjacksonville.com
The 33rd annual Safeway Providence Festival of Trees Gala Dinner & Auction on Thursday – Festival taking place this weekend in Medford, and local residents and businesses have been decorating their trees to display to thousands of patrons.
The festival convenor, the Providence Community Health Foundation, has invited community members to celebrate the holiday season at the 33rd annual Safeway Providence Festival of Trees.
The Safeway Providence Festival of Trees is holding its Gala Dinner & Auction: Wednesday, Dec. 4th followed by the festival over the coming weekend when the public can view the decorated trees contributed by philanthropists sharing the spirit of Christmas.
The Festival of Trees details are:
- Festival dates: Saturday, December 7 to Sunday, December 8.
- Times: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Venue: Medford Armory, 1701 S. Pacific Highway.
- Ticket sales: Only at the door.
- Price: Adults- $8, kids aged 3 to 12- $5
- Free admission: Seniors 65 and older and kids under 2 years. On Sunday, kids 12 and under get in for free.
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the grand finale magic at the Safeway | Providence Festival of Trees. Friday, December 6 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tickets are now available: Providencefoundations.org/festival or https://oregoncc.evenue.net/events/OTREE
MORE INFO: https://foundation.providence.org/oregon/southernoregon/events/festival-of-trees
Feds Signal Key Approval for the Coquille Tribe’s Proposed Medford Casino
The milestone comes 12 years after the tribe began seeking a location in a more populous area. The Coquille need one more approval from the feds but don’t need the state’s blessing.
The Mill Casino is operated by the Coquille Tribe in North Bend.
In a decision that could have far-reaching implications for Oregon’s delicately balanced gambling market, the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs notified Oregon officials Nov. 20 that it would issue a final environmental impact statement supporting an off-reservation casino that the Coquille Indian Tribe wants to build in Medford.
After publishing its decision in the Federal Register, the bureau will open a 30-day public comment period. After that, the agency will produce a final document, a record of decision, or ROD, which typically—but not always—affirms the EIS.
Updated Nov. 21: Here is the communication from the BIA notifying the public of its intention to publish the EIS and providing the opportunity for public comment.
Since 2012, the Coquille Tribe has pursued the development of a second casino on property the tribe purchased in Medford, which is about 170 miles from its reservation in North Bend. The Coquille have an on-reservation casino, called The Mill, but have sought to generate more revenue with the Medford project.
Judy Farm, CEO of Tribal One, the economic development arm of the Coquille Tribe, says it rejects the state’s policy, noting that the Oregon Legislature’s Joint Committee on Gambling Regulation concluded in 2022 that it “could find no evidence that any one-tribe, one-casino policy by the federal government or state of Oregon has been formally adopted or exists in any written form.”
Farm also rejects the characterization of Medford as an “off-reservation casino.”
“Within the [1989] Coquille Restoration Act, Congress promulgated that any land taken into trust within the five counties would be reservation land,” Farm says. “This application is considered on-reservation due to adherence to this guidance.”
The loudest opponent of the Medford project, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, however, said it had been informed of the BIA decision. That tribe operates a casino in Canyonville, about 70 miles north of the Coquille site in Medford. The Cow Creek have adamantly fought the Medford proposal and expressed frustration at Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, the first Native American to hold that position, for moving it forward. (READ MORE)
Eagle Point School District Employee Arrested for Sex Abuse, Charges Unrelated to Her Position with School District
JCSO Case 24-5413 — EAGLE POINT, OR– An investigation into allegations of sex abuse has led to the arrest of an Eagle Point School District employee. After a month-long investigation, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Special Victims Unit (SVU) detectives arrested the woman today, November 21, when she turned herself in at the Sheriff’s Office.
The suspect, Amanda Rose Leonardo, AKA Pody, 38, of Eagle Point, is charged with three counts of third-degree sexual abuse, luring a minor, tampering with physical evidence, and providing liquor to a person under 21. She is lodged in the Jackson County Jail. The identified victims were of high school age. The charges are unrelated to her position with Eagle Point School District.
SVU detectives are looking for the public’s assistance. If you have any information on the suspect, call the JCSO Tip Line at (541) 774-8333 and reference case number 24-5413. This case is under further investigation. There is no additional information for release at this time.
Oregon Environmentalists Take Legal Action to Stop BLM Removing Timber from Forest Near Grants Pass
Josephine County forest, Oregon | Credit: NRCS Oregon
A lawsuit to stop the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from increasing fire hazards with the removal of timber from an old-growth forest north of Grants Pass was lodged on Tuesday by environmentalists in the Medford District Court.
Also at threat is the Last Chance project to protect the threatened northern spotted owl, according to the lawsuit lodged by Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center, Cascadia Wildlands, and Oregon Wild.
The environmentalists express alarm at the impact of forest treatments on thousands of acres critical to spotted owl habitats.
The plaintiffs claim that BLM acted ‘arbitrarily, capriciously and contrary to the federal Land Policy and Management Act’ when it authorized a timber sale on BLM-administered lands in Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine counties.
The timber sale will auction about 8,500 acres of forestland that environmentalists say will hurt efforts to increase forest resiliency.
In its report, the BLM says the commercial harvests will reduce the spread of wildfires through tree canopies and encourage the growth of larger and more fire-resistant trees.
BLM says provision has been made to retain large forest areas in northern spotted owl territory, and that the proposed commercial logging is intended to promote the ‘development of prime owl habitat.’
However, BLM does acknowledge that the project will delay the growth of forestland in northern spotted owl territory by up to two decades but insists that ‘active management…is the best way …to develop high-quality habitat.’
KS Wild spokesperson George Sexton says a table in the BLM environmental assessment report shows that nearly 2,000 acres of the forest will be subjected to hydrological effects – a term used to describe areas where water behaves in the same way it does on land devoid of trees.
Sexton says the reason why environmentalists decided to lodge the legal challenge is to stop BLM ‘from logging practices that remove old growth trees and increase fire hazard.’ Secondly, the lawsuit aims to persuade the BLM to join stakeholders ‘who are trying to increase forest resiliency and decrease fire hazard.’ (SOURCE)
𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀! The contest closes on December 8, so don’t wait to get started!
Grants Pass Christmas Parade – December 7th
Grants Pass “Buy-A-Brick” Plaques On Sale For Owl Parking Plaza
Grants Pass 2024 Water Report Photo Contest
Marine Board Seeks Written Public Comments on Proposed Upper Rogue River Rules
The Oregon State Marine Board recently opened rulemaking for the Upper Rogue River in Jackson County and seeks written public comments on the proposed rule language.
The agency filed a Notice of Rulemaking with the Oregon Secretary of State, being published in the November 1st Oregon Bulletin to establish a new rule for the Upper Rogue River:
Oregon Administrative Rule 250-020-0151, Boat Operations in Jackson County
The rule preserves traditional boating uses along the Upper Rogue River. The horsepower restrictions will limit the size and speeds at which boats may operate on sections of the river. This will prevent conflicts between motorized and nonmotorized boaters and allow other river users to access sections of the river without interference from high-speed boats.
The agency will also host a public hearing on December 4, in Medford at the Rogue Community College. More information will be forthcoming in advance of the hearing.
The Board will meet on January 23, 2025, and may make a motion to adopt, amend, or take other action on the proposed rulemaking.
Written comments will be accepted until December 20, by 12:55 pm. Comments can be submitted by email to .rulemaking@boat.oregon.gov“>osmb.rulemaking@boat.oregon.gov or by U.S. Mail to Jennifer Cooper, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Oregon State Marine Board, 435 Commercial Street NE, Salem, OR 97301. Testimony will not be accepted by telephone.
To view the public hearing notice and proposed rule language, visit https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/info/Pages/Rulemaking-and-Public-Notices.aspx.
Sheriff’s Office issues advisory about motorhome and possible link to missing Prospect woman Deenah Padgett
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) is asking for help identifying the owner a motorhome. It could be associated with a missing person from the Prospect area.
JCSO says 68-year-old Deenah Padgett has been missing since August 30 from Prospect, described as a white woman, 4’ 8” tall, weighing approximately 95 pounds with brownish red/greying hair.
JCSO issued an advisory this weekend asking anyone with information about the owner of the pictured motor home or Padgett’s whereabouts to call Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO) dispatch non-emergency phone number at 541-776-7206.
. We are still FULL! We asked for more help, and Shelter Friends has agreed to continue generously sponsoring dog adoptions through November 27th! That means there is no fee to adopt a dog. We want to give as many dogs the opportunity to find Homes for the Holidays!
Please help spread the word
Child Sexual Predator Eluded Capture in Idaho, Has Ties to Southern Oregon, He May Be Dressed as a Woman
– A fugitive with ties to the southern Oregon region is on-the-run after eluding capture Tuesday, October 22 in Idaho. Christian Bert Fischer, 42, is wanted in Florida for Traveling to Meet a Minor After Use of a Computer to Lure a Child.
Fischer is a white male, 5’10”, 200 lbs., has blonde hair and blue-colored eyes. He is also known to dress like a woman. Before heading to Idaho, Fischer was in the Portland area. This June and July, he was in Ashland, Lake of the Woods, and Wolf Creek.
U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) task forces throughout the country have joined the search, including the local Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (PNVOTF). If you have any information on Fischer’s whereabouts, contact the local USMS office at (541) 776-4277, the USMS Communication Center at 1-800-336-0102, or USMS Tips at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.
PNVOTF includes personnel from the U.S. Marshals, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and Central Point Police Department. The task force specializes in locating and arresting fugitives wanted for offenses including, but not limited to, murder, assault, sex crimes, failure to register as a sex offender, firearm violations, and probation violations.
Did you get help from FEMA, insurance, or others after the 2020 Almeda and South Obenchain Fires?
https://firebrandcollective.org/harp/
Many pets have benefited from the community’s generosity, and we can’t thank you enough for your kindness.Hearts with a Mission, a program to help local seniors who need assistance, is seeking volunteers.
David Grubbs’ Murder Investigation Remains Active
The Ashland Police Department’s investigation into the murder of David Grubbs on November 19, 2011 remains open and active. Recently two new detectives have been assigned to look into new leads that have come in.
It has been more than Four Years since Fauna Frey, 45, disappeared in Oregon on a road trip, June 29, 2020, following her brother’s death
PART 2 – Newsweek Podcast Focusing on The Disappearance of Fauna Frey From Lane County
Here One Minute, Gone the Next —– PART 2 – Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel joins investigative journalist Alex Rogue to speak with Here One Minute, Gone the Next about the disappearance of Fauna Frey, the growing friction between citizen investigators and law enforcement, and the lack of resources in missing persons cases. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disappearance-of-fauna-frey-pt2-feat-sheriff/id1707094441?i=1000630100040 PART 1 – John Frey joins Newsweek to discuss exclusive details about the case of his missing daughter that until now have been unavailable to the general public. READ MORE HERE: https://www.newsweek.com/exclusive-what-happened-fauna-frey-new-clues-uncovered-1827197?fbclid=IwAR3Z3Glru5lIgqiYXbs_nA1Fj8JuCIzM11OHSVHfwIucfq2f_G5y9y5bnmQ If you have any information on the whereabouts of Fauna Frey, call the anonymous tip line at 541-539-5638 or email FindFaunaFrey@gmail.com. —- Help Find Fauna Frey #FindFaunaFrey FACEBOOK GROUP
Court Documents Show Police Investigating Coos County Boy Found Dead As a Murder
Court documents show police are investigating the case of a missing Coos County boy who was found dead in the woods as a potential murder.
Five year old Joshua James McCoy was found deceased on Tuesday, November 12th about two miles from his home on Stage Road in Hauser. He was found naked in the woods.
Joshua, who was autistic and non-verbal, had been reported missing three days earlier. Court documents indicate Joshua’s mother, Angela German called her friend who lives in Utah and told her that Joshua was missing. Documents also say German told her friend instead of police because of past “bad experience with law enforcement.”
A search warrant was served to search German’s home less than a week after Joshua was found dead and her car was seized for forensic testing. The search warrant affidavit says German took ketamine and barbiturates to help her sleep.
Court records show that during an interview with police, German said she and Joshua laid down for a nap around 1:30 p.m. and when she awoke around 3 p.m. she discovered he was not in the house. However later during that same interview, she said they fell asleep around 10 a.m. and she woke up at 1 p.m. Documents also say that during that interview she “also made comments about Joshua being naked and dead in the woods.”
The affidavit says Joshua was found less than two miles from his home, he was approximately 20 feet off the roadway. He was naked with no scratches or marks on his legs or feet. He was not muddy anywhere except for some dirt on his hands. Documents say the medical examiner examined Joshua where he was found and said his body had “no signs of trauma, no petechia, and no scratches or cuts that would be consistent with Joshua walking through the briars or blackberry bushes.”
Tire impressions were also found in the mud near where Joshua was located. German’s car was found to have muddy tires.
Deputy Lee with the Coos County Sheriff’s Office says a search warrant will always be requested when a death is involved. “It’s not necessarily because there’s crime afoot, but it’s just to ensure that if there is, everything is done the right way,” Lee said.
German’s friend told detectives German and Joshua used to live with her in Utah, but were asked to leave because of German’s treatment of her son. It was just two weeks after leaving Utah that Joshua went missing.
Court documents say the Department of Human Services in Oregon has been investigating German’s alleged alcohol use, along with alleged mistreatment and neglect of her son for several months. Oregon DHS had even recently issued a pick up order. Documentation also show the Utah Department of Human Services was investigating German.
Lee could not confirm or deny that German was being investigated for murder. However the search warrant affidavit says there is probable cause to believe that Angela German is involved in the crimes of Murder II.
Oregon Gov. Kotek’s $39.3 billion proposed budget has more for housing, homelessness, schools
Lawmakers will use Kotek’s budget as a starting point for crafting the next two-year budget
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek wants the state to spend more than $2 billion on homelessness and housing and send a record $11.4 billion to public schools as part of a budget focused on maintaining existing programs with little cash to spare for new initiatives.
Her total spending plan, including federal funding that the state doesn’t have much control over, is $137.7 billion for the two-year period from July 2025 to June 2027. Her proposed general fund and lottery funds budget, where Kotek and lawmakers have more discretion, is $39.3 billion. Infobox: Read Gov. Kotek’s budget highlights and full 476-page recommended budget.
That’s a sharp increase from the $33.5 billion general fund and lottery funds budget lawmakers approved in 2023, but it doesn’t reflect much new spending. Instead, the state is grappling with the same budgetary pressures as many Oregonians: Revenue is higher, but so are costs.
“People understand this from their own household budgets,” Kotek said at a press conference in Astoria last week. “While our economy is strong and wages are up, and people, if you just look at the numbers, are making more, their expenses are up. And in the case of the state, our expenses for health and human services have really grown, so the expenditure line is outpacing the money coming in the door.”
Initial reactions to her recommended budget were mixed, with some advocacy groups saying it didn’t go far enough and Republicans criticizing it as squandering money.
Her recommended budget doesn’t include layoffs or cuts to services, but it also has few new programs. When state agencies crafted their budget requests, Kotek limited them to a 1% increase over 2025-27 levels. She also asked them to prepare lists of where they could cut by 10% by focusing on core services and making sure to maximize federal funding.
“It was a hard exercise for some folks,” Kotek said. “But I believed, and do believe, that Oregonians, in this moment, would be better served by committing time and energy to practical considerations rather than well-meaning hypothetical wish lists. Developing my budget was an effort grounded in the reality of our state and our resources.” READ MORE: https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/12/02/oregon-gov-koteks-39-3-billion-proposed-budget-has-more-for-housing-homelessness-schools/
Recall at Albertsons and Safeway
Some store-made deli and produce items at Albertsons and Safeway stores are being recalled due to potential salmonella contamination. The items included contain recalled bulk cucumber supplied by Baloian Farms of Arizona.
Following this recall initiated by Baloian Farms, Albertsons is voluntarily recalling select deli and produce items that contain bulk cucumber. The following is a list of recalled items at Albertsons and Safeway locations in Oregon and southern Washington. All items are store brand, most have sell-through dates between December 2 and December 5:
o Ecomm tray vegetable & dip
o Tray vegetable & hummus 16 inch
o Ecomm tray vegetable & hummus
o Tray vegetable & hummus 18 inch
o Vegetable & dip tray 16 inch
o Vegetable &; dip tray 18 inch
o Tray vegetable 16 inch
o Tray vegetable 18 inch
o Ecomm tray vegetable
o Cucumbers sliced 7 ounces
o Cucumbers sliced 14 ounces
o Premium vegetable tray (sell-through dates between December 4 and December 7).
Consumers who have purchased these items, should throw them out or return them to their local store for a refund. Questions can be directed to Albertsons Companies customer service at 1-877-723-3929. Salmonella can cause serious, sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms can include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Additional items have been recalled at Albertsons and Safeway stores in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Missing Oregon Hiker Found Dead. Estranged Husband Arrested For Murder
UPDATE (December 1, 2024): Two dogs believed to be Susan Lane-Fournier’s found deceased
Date12/1/2024 CCSO Case #24-024698 — On Saturday, November 30, 2024, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office recovered two deceased dogs believed to be Susan Lane-Fournier’s. The dogs have been transferred to the custody of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, where investigators are working to confirm their identities.
This case remains an active homicide investigation. Detectives continue to request information from anyone who saw Michel Fournier in the days leading up to Susan’s disappearance or has knowledge of his activities and whereabouts since then.
Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online form at: www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip Please reference CCSO Case #24-024698
EARLIER (November 30, 2024): Suspect arrested; deceased person found in Welches area identified as Susan Lane-Fournier
CCSO Case #24-024698 Today, Saturday, November 30, 2024, the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy of the deceased person found on November 29, 2024, near East Highway 26 and East Miller Road in unincorporated Clackamas County. The Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the deceased as missing person Susan Lane-Fournier and the manner of death as a homicide.
On Friday, November 29, 2024, shortly after the discovery of a deceased person in the Welches area, now identified as Susan Lane-Fournier, detectives contacted Michel Fournier, 71 of Brightwood. Detectives arrested Michel Fournier and he was booked into the Clackamas County Jail where he is currently being held without bail on a charge of second-degree murder.
Susan Lane-Fournier was first reported missing on Friday, November 22, 2024, after failing to arrive at her workplace. On Saturday, November 23, 2024, a community member reported seeing Lane-Fournier’s white 1992 Ford F-250 parked near East Salmon River Road and the Green Canyon Way Trail south of Welches. This led to a multi-day search and rescue operation by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team, while detectives continued their investigation.
Susan Lane-Fournier’s two dogs have not been located. Investigators are looking to speak with anyone who may have seen Michel Fournier in the days before her disappearance or who has information about his activity and whereabouts since then.
We are releasing Michel Fournier’s booking photo from this incident. The release of the booking photo is for law enforcement purposes and is in accordance with Oregon House Bill 3273 for the identification of additional criminal activity.
Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online form at: www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip — Please reference CCSO Case #24-024698
EARLIER (Friday, November 29, 2024): Investigation underway after person found deceased in Welches Area
Around 8:30 a.m. on Friday, November 29, 2024, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a deceased person found near East Highway 26 and East Miller Road in unincorporated Clackamas County.
When deputies arrived, they located a deceased individual. Investigators are now working to identify the person and determine the circumstances surrounding their death.
This is an active investigation, and the Sheriff’s Office will provide updates when more information becomes available.
Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online form at: www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip
The information in this story came from a Facebook post posted by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon.
Oregon State Parks Offering Discounted Parking Passes – Give the gift of the outdoors and save this season with the Oregon State Parks 12-month parking permit sale during December.
Shoppers can buy the annual parking permits for only $25 (regularly $30) from Dec. 1 through Dec. 31. The permit is good for 12 months starting in the month of purchase at the 25 parks that currently charge for parking.
The annual permit is an even better option for frequent park visitors in 2025 when day-use parking fees will increase from $5 to $10 on Jan. 2, 2025.
Purchasing permits is easy. Visitors can buy them online at Oregon State Parks store. They’re also available at select park stores operated by friends’ groups, park visitor centers and local businesses throughout the state. For a complete list, visit stateparks.oregon.gov.
The daily parking fee is required at the 25 parks that charge for day-use parking unless visitors have a 12-month or 24-month parking permit or a same-day camping receipt. The parking fee does not apply to those who hike, bike or use public transportation.
The 24-month permit is $50 and is also available at OregonStateParkStore. The cost for the 12-month and 24-month permits is not currently increasing. The permits are transferable from vehicle to vehicle.
Oregon Receives $750,000 to Fund Monarch Butterfly Conservation
Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., announced $750,000 in new funding for two projects. The Pollinator Partnership works with private landowners to conserve butterfly habitat. The other project is a habitat kit program for both public and private land. Here is the full announcement from the senators:
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today a total of $758,810 in funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)’s Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) for two projects that will increase and improve western monarch butterfly and pollinator habitats in Oregon.
“We’ve all experienced the moment of excitement when we spot a monarch butterfly fluttering through the air. If we allow the iconic western monarch butterfly to go extinct, we will not only lose this beautiful species, but a critical pollinator forever,” said Merkley, who secured the federal funding as Chair of the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, where he continuously boosts conservation efforts for monarch and other pollinators. “Groups and communities across Oregon and across the West are stepping up to find sustainable solutions, from planting pollinator-friendly gardens in their yards to providing resources and habitats for them. This funding, which includes the federal funding I secured, will further fuel our collective efforts to save this species before time runs out.”
“Monarch butterflies are crucial pollinators on the West Coast, where much of America’s food is grown,” Wyden said. “This investment will support a vital component of our food ecosystem while also helping to preserve a species that symbolizes the rebirth and resiliency Oregonians are known for.”
Today’s investments are part of $5.2 million in grants recently awarded by the NFWF’s Pollinator Fund for projects to conserve monarch butterflies and other insect pollinators in 24 states. Details of the projects in Oregon are as follows:
- $458,810 for the Pollinator Partnership to support Partner Biologists in planning climate-smart voluntary conservation efforts for private working lands that benefit the monarch butterfly and other pollinators across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. The project is expected to restore 100 acres, improve 500 acres, develop 80 conservation plans, reach 720 people, and host 30 events.
- $300,000 for The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation to sustain their Monarch and Pollinator Habitat Kit Program that supports monarch butterfly and other pollinators on public and private lands in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and Klamath-Siskiyou ecoregions, eastern Washington, and California. The project is expected to improve 500 acres, reach 200 people, and host 16 events.
These efforts are critically needed, as the western monarch population has declined over 95%, from as many as 10 million in the 1980s, to just over 233,000 counted last winter. These low populations are dangerous for humans, as 75 percent of the world’s flowering plants, and about 35 percent of the world’s food crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce.
Ensuring pollinator survival means ensuring our own survival. That’s why Merkley has led a series of actions to revive the populations of western monarch and other pollinators, like honeybees. His efforts include hosting Monarch Butterfly Summits in partnership with the Department of the Interior, the first of which announced a $1 million investment in the NFWF Pollinator Fund and established a Pollinator Conservation Center at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Merkley also introduced and passed the bipartisan Monarch and Pollinator Highway Act and he introduced the Pollinator Power Act, which would incentivize pollinator habitats surrounding new solar projects carried out through the Rural Energy for America Program. Merkley is also behind the MONARCH Act and the Pollinator-Friendly Plant Labeling Act, both of which are cosponsored by Wyden.
Oregon State Police announces winning entry in the “Name Our K-9” Contest
YouTube Video Link: Name Our K-9: Violet and Millie
Oregon State Sr. Trooper Scott Show needed an official name for his new drug-detection K-9. He had the idea to let Oregon elementary school students name the two-year-old female Belgian Malinois. On Oct. 17, 2024, OSP launched the “Name Our K-9” contest. At the time, no one knew we would end up with a very special name for one family.
After almost 800 entries and a week of online voting, the winning entry of “Millie” was selected. Receiving almost half the votes cast, the winning entry was submitted by five-year-old Violet of Winston in honor of her twin sister Millie, who unexpectedly passed away earlier this year.
Kylee Stewart, Violet and Millie’s mother, said, “Millie and Violet were inseparable. Although they were complete opposites, they shared a love of animals. When we came across the “Name Our K-9” contest, Violet knew she wanted to enter her sister’s name.”
“Nobody planned for there to be this much meaning behind naming the K-9,” said Sr. Trooper Show. “To have our dog end up with a name that’s got some significance and is meaningful to this family is really wonderful.”
K-9 Millie is certified through the Oregon Police Canine Association as a drug-detection dog. She and Sr. Trooper Show are assigned to the Albany Patrol Office for drug interdiction along Interstate 5 and throughout the state. As an ongoing tribute, OSP will recognize K-9 Millie’s drug seizures, when possible, with a special nod to the little girl who inspired her name.
“On behalf of myself and the entire Oregon State Police family, it is an honor to be part of this special memorial to Millie Melton,” said Superintendent Casey Codding. In recognition for winning the naming contest, Violet received a letter and certificate from Superintendent Codding and an OSP uniform patch. She also received a Belgian Malinois plushie personalized with the OSP logo and the name “Millie” generously donated by Hero Industries.
OSP is continuing to recognize the contest finalists with presentations to students across the state. We send a heartfelt thank you to the 778 students who submitted entries in the “Name Our K-9” contest. “K-9 teams play an important role in keeping our communities safe and it was exciting to have so many students participate in the contest in such an engaging and meaningful way,” said Superintendent Codding.
Contest finalists:
- “True” submitted by Michael B. from Creswell Christian Academy in Creswell.
- “Showtime” submitted by KariAnn G. from Eastwood Elementary in Roseburg.
- “Pearl” submitted by Bailey P. from Jefferson Elementary in Medford.
- “Mable” submitted by Mrs. Moles’s second-grade class from Prairie City Elementary in Prairie City.
- The school with the most entries: Hillcrest Elementary in North Bend.
About the Oregon State Police
The Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon’s people, wildlife, and natural resources. 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.
Ways to get and give help this holiday season
‘Tis the season for connection and caring for one another. But we also know this time of year can be challenging for many families. So whether you need a little extra support, or are looking for ways to give back to your community, we’ve got some suggestions to make the holiday season special.
Ways to get holiday help:
1. Visit the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) holiday resources webpage
Our 2024 holiday resources webpage has a list of local organizations that can provide hot meals, toys, winter clothes and more for families and individuals this holiday season. The page is available in English and Spanish, and you can sort the list by county to find resources in your area.
2. Connect with 211info
Not seeing anything near you on our list? Dial 2-1-1 to connect with someone who can guide you to the support you need. You can also visit 211info.org, enter your zip code, and search for “Holiday Gifts/Toys,” “Christmas Baskets,” or “Christmas Meals.”
3. Reach out to your local ODHS office
We’re here to help! Our local office staff often know about upcoming events and resources in your community. We can also help you learn more about services that be accessed year-round, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Oregon Health Plan (OHP), and more.
Ways to give holiday help:
1. Donate to ODHS or a community organization
ODHS partners with many community organizations that collect donations, like food, clothes, and toys, that support children in foster care, older adults, families in need, and more. For 2024, we’ve compiled a list with some of the ways you can donate to help the families ODHS serves. Don’t see anything on the list in your area? Contact your local ODHS office for more suggestions. You can also make a financial contribution to ODHS and specify how you want it to be used by emailing dhs.volunteerservices@odhs.oregon.gov.
2. Volunteer
Your time is one of the most valuable gifts you can give. At ODHS, we have several temporary volunteer opportunities this holiday season for things like wrapping donations, delivering gifts, and helping at holiday parties for children in ODHS care. Email dhs.volunteerservices@odhs.oregon.gov to learn about holiday openings or to get involved longer-term. If that’s not for you, we also recommend reaching out to local nonprofits or community centers with missions you believe in to see how you can help.
3. Build community connections
Sometimes, the best way to give back is by simply showing up. Attend local events, check in on your neighbors, and spread the word about the ways to get help that we listed above. A little kindness and connection can go a long way!
Oregon Lottery Transfers $947 Million Back to State
– The Oregon Lottery will return more than $947 million to the state for the 2024 fiscal year – a $48 million increase from the previous year. Lottery generated $940 million in profit and reduced reserves nearly $8 million, enabling the higher return.
Unclaimed prizes for the year totaled $8 million and will also go back to the state. The funding directly benefits state parks and natural habitats, public schools, veteran services, outdoor school, and economic development. Oregon Lottery is self-funded through the sale of games, not tax dollars, and voters and the Legislature designate where the money goes.
“Oregonians help support the state programs they care about by playing our games,” said Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells. “We continue to celebrate the wins of our players, the retailers who sell our games, and the public programs lifted up by these funds in our communities.”
Lucky lottery players earned payouts totaling nearly $16 billion for the year. Including a record-breaking $1.3 billion Powerball win in the spring, 13 players took home prizes worth $1 million or more. Prizes big and small account for about 92% of the Lottery dollars played.
Sales commissions on Lottery games also support retailers, many of whom are small business owners. The 3,800 Lottery retailers across Oregon collectively earned close to $310 million in commissions this year.
Since 2016, Oregon Lottery has maintained the highest level of accreditation for responsible gambling from both the National Association of State and Provincial Lotteries/National Council on Problem Gambling and the World Lottery Association’s (WLA) Responsible Gambling programs. Oregon is one of only eight lotteries in the U.S. to reach this level by the WLA.
The Lottery’s financial year runs from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. A final audited report is posted to Oregon Lottery’s website under “Proceeds and Financials.”
Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned nearly $15.5 billion for economic development, public education, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org.
OHSU study sheds light on the role housing and other needs play in health care
A national survey of low-income households that receive Medicaid finds improved health outcomes when housing and food needs are met in clinic visits
Housing and food insecurity sharply increased in Oregon among Medicaid and Medicare recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic, even amid a moratorium on evictions and increased government support for nutrition.
The basic needs of Oregonians remained in peril from the start of the pandemic in March 2020 until at least the end of 2021, according to the findings of a study led by Oregon Health & Science University researchers published Monday in the Annals of Family Medicine.
The study sheds light on the role that social determinants of health like adequate housing and food can play in a person’s overall well-being. This month, the Oregon Health Authority launched a new program to help people on Medicaid with their rent costs when a medical crisis hurts their ability to pay.
The Oregon study surveyed and followed about 21,000 people who received Medicare or Medicaid benefits for their health care coverage, starting in 2019 and continuing through the end of 2021. Researchers found a 17.7-percentage point increase overall in health-related social challenges such as housing instability and adequate food in March 2020, which coincided with the nation’s shutdown during the pandemic. That increase did not significantly decline through the end of 2021.
In Oregon, more than 1.4 million residents rely upon the Oregon Health Plan, the state’s Medicaid program that provides health care, dental and behavioral health services to low-income people. More than 930,000 Oregonians are on Medicare, which is available for people who are at least 65 years old or receive Social Security disability benefits.
The study was part of a broader national effort that surveyed 1.1 million people in the U.S. in a similar situation. The nationwide survey, overseen by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, found that people who had their basic needs like housing, food, transportation and utilities addressed during a health care visit enjoyed better overall health compared to people who did not receive assistance.
“Together, these findings drive home the point that health care organizations need to think about the social care of their patients,” said senior author Anne King, an OHSU adjunct faculty member and Oregon state director of Comagine Health, a nonprofit health care quality improvement firm. “It actually improves their health and it reduces costs for taxpayers.” (SOURCE)
Bureau of Land Management recreation managers are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to fill host positions at six unique locations for the 2025 summer recreation season.
Volunteer hosts play a critical role at BLM recreation sites. They are the primary, daily connection between public land users and BLM staff. Hosts also assist BLM staff to open and close sites each day, manage campground and shelter reservations, answer visitor questions, encourage visitor rule adherence, and generally maintain the sites.
A paved RV pad is provided at each site for host volunteers. Sites have varying degrees of amenities from full electric, water, and sewer hook-ups to completely primitive sites with only public potable water access. The selected volunteer(s) must provide their own trailer, motorhome, RV, or tent set-up.
Each host will receive a modest daily stipend to off-set some living costs and incidental expenses. Hosts are expected to live on site during the region’s busiest recreation season, typically from April through September. (The start date for the selected host at Sharps Creek will likely be earlier in the year.)
For more information and to apply for these volunteer opportunities, please visit Volunteer.gov. If you have further questions, contact Kendra Barat at kbarat@blm.gov or (720) 591-68
Oregon Aging and People with Disabilities offers free help for Medicare Open Enrollment
(Salem) — Medicare Open Enrollment for the 2025 plan year remains open through Dec. 7, 2024. Medicare beneficiaries seeking to compare or change their existing Medicare plan can receive free help from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).
During the Medicare Open Enrollment period, people with Medicare can make changes to their health plan or prescription drug plan, pick a Medicare Advantage plan or choose Original Medicare. The ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities’ (APD) Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is available to help Oregonians understand their Medicare options and benefits, provide enrollment guidance and help people detect and avoid Medicare scams. Additionally, there are some key changes coming to Medicare in 2025 that APD’s SHIBA program counselors can assist people in understanding including:
- The new Manufacturer Discount Program which addresses the coverage gap, also known as the “donut hole;”
- The lower maximum to pay for covered drugs. The maximum amount for 2025 will be $2,000;
- Coverage for weight loss drugs when doctors prescribe them for people who meet certain conditions;
- Expanded coverage for family caregiver services through the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model; and
- Increased access to mental health services by allowing more providers to bill Medicare for services.
“Our APD SHIBA team is devoted to helping people prepare for open enrollment and understand changes,” said Jane-ellen Weidanz, who oversees SHIBA as APD Deputy Director of Policy.
Oregonians who need help navigating Medicare open enrollment are encouraged to call SHIBA at 800-722-4134 (toll-free) or learn more by visiting the SHIBA website at SHIBA.Oregon.gov. The 2025 Oregon Guide to Medicare Insurance Plans will be available on the SHIBA website in the coming days and will be translated to multiple languages.
SHIBA certified counselors can also help people report scams to Medicare and educate people on how to avoid Medicare scams or fraud. According to the Senior Medicare Patrol, common scams include promising free durable medical equipment, such as knee braces and catheters, or offers of free genetic testing. The ultimate goal for the scammer is to get the beneficiary’s Medicare number to commit Medicare billing fraud. “SHIBA counselors are committed to ensuring Oregonians have the information they need to avoid becoming victims of fraud and report scams or suspected Medicare fraud,” said APD Director Dr. Nakeshia Knight-Coyle.
Help from SHIBA is available over the phone and through virtual and in-person appointments. Because high call volume during Open Enrollment may result in longer than usual wait times, Oregonians are also encouraged to access free resources on the SHIBA website such as Medicare frequently asked questions, an agent locator tool, a list of free virtual and in-person Medicare presentations and videos to help people understand their Medicare options. People who need Medicare help in a language other than English, including sign language, can call 833-685-0841 or send an email to odhs.languageaccess@odhsoha.oregon.gov; after placing a request, a translator will reach out in the requestor’s preferred language to provide assistance in communicating with SHIBA.
About the Oregon Department of Human Services – The mission of the Oregon Department of Human Services is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity.
About the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance program – The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is part of the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities. It is a statewide network of certified counselors volunteering in their community to help all Oregonians make educated Medicare decisions. SHIBA offers free, objective, confidential and local one-on-one health insurance counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families.
Media contest invites Oregon high school students to promote young worker safety; entries due Feb. 21, 2025
Salem – High school students across Oregon are encouraged to put their video or graphic design skills on display by competing for cash prizes as part of a larger cause: increasing awareness about workplace safety and health for young workers.
The 2025 media contest, organized by the Oregon Young Employee Safety (O[yes]) Coalition, calls on participants to create an ad – through a compelling graphic design or video – that grabs their peers’ attention and convinces them to take the Young Employee Safety Awareness online training.
Participants get to choose the key message, theme, or tagline they believe will go furthest in capturing their audience and moving it to act. The target audience? Teen workers or teens who are preparing to work for the first time. The contest is now open for submissions. To compete, participants may submit either a graphic design or a video that is no more than 90 seconds in length.
Participants are expected to choose their key message, theme, or tagline in a wise and positive manner, including constructive and effective messages and language.
The top three entries in each of the two media categories will take home cash prizes ranging from $300 to $500. In each category, the first-place winner’s school, club, or organization will receive a matching award. Moreover, O[yes] will use the best of the submissions as ads in its ongoing efforts to improve on-the-job safety and health protections for teens.
While they carry out their projects, participants must ensure the health and safety of their team. No one should be endangered while creating their video or graphic design project.
The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.
Participants are encouraged to submit entries online. Submissions may also be mailed on a USB thumb drive or delivered in person.
For more information about the entry form and rules, contest expectations, and resources – including previous contest winners – visit the O[yes] online contest page.
The contest sponsors are local Oregon chapters of the American Society of Safety Professionals, Construction Safety Summit, Central Oregon Safety & Health Association, Hoffman Construction Company, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Oregon OSHA, SafeBuild Alliance, SAIF Corporation, and the Oregon Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) Alliance.
### About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.
About the Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition (O[yes]): (O[yes]) is a nonprofit dedicated to preventing young worker injuries and fatalities. O[yes] members include safety and health professionals, educators, employers, labor and trade associations, and regulators. Visit youngemployeesafety.org.
Lend Your Voice to Shape the Future of Emergency Management in Oregon!
SALEM, OR – November 19, 2024 – The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) invites all Oregonians to participate in shaping the future of emergency management across the state. On February 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., OEM is hosting its second annual town hall where community members and partners from all backgrounds can provide input and feedback on the agency’s 2023–2025 Strategic Plan and the OEM Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) plan.
The Strategic Plan serves as a blueprint for OEM’s commitment to delivering excellent customer service and building resilience within Oregon’s communities. The IDEA plan guides emergency management practices that address the needs of all communities, fostering equitable outcomes and inclusive resilience statewide. Feedback from this town hall will help guide OEM’s efforts to improve emergency preparedness, response and recovery in ways that serve every community across the state—before, during and after a disaster.
The town hall is open to everyone, and no prior emergency management experience is required. Closed captioning will be available, and a video and audio transcript of the event will be accessible upon request after the event.
Event Details:
Event: Oregon Department of Emergency Management’s second annual strategic planning and IDEA town hall
Date: February 11, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Meeting will be virtual; link will be sent as event nears.
Your feedback is critical in helping OEM serve Oregon’s diverse communities better and to foster an inclusive approach to emergency preparedness and resilience. We look forward to hearing from you at this important event.
For more information or questions, please contact Bobbi McAllister at obbi.mcallister@oem.oregon.gov“>bobbi.mcallister@oem.oregon.gov.
Tips To Purchase a Permit to Cut Your Christmas Tree From an Oregon National Forest
The holiday season is upon us, which means the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree is on. For those looking to bring home a real tree, permits are available now for all Oregon national forests.
Christmas tree permits are available for purchase online at recreation.gov (with an added $2.50 processing fee charged by the website) and at local U.S. Forest Service offices or from local vendors.
Permits are $5 each, and each permit allows the cutting of one Christmas tree. Households can purchase a maximum of five permits.
For downloadable maps of tree-cutting areas and a list of local vendors selling tree permits, go to bit.ly/WNFtree .
Fourth-grade students can receive a free tree permit by getting their Every Kid Outdoors pass and entering the voucher or pass number when prompted on Recreation.gov or by visiting a Forest Service office.
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