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, March 26, 2025
Rogue Valley Weather
US National Weather Service Medford Oregon
Two strong disturbances will move through the area Wednesday into Thursday. This will lead to gusty winds area wide, but with strong wind gusts of 55-70 mph along the coast, in the Shasta Valley and over portions of the East Side. These winds could make travel difficult for high profile vehicles, blow around unsecured objects, and in some places could bring down trees/branches and powerlines. Power disruptions are possible.
Suspicious Death Investigation Catches Break, Skeletal Remains Found April 2024 Identified as Missing Person, Detectives Have Persons of Interest
Video Interview Available for Download: https://vimeo.com/1069394921?share=copy#t=0
and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1176100790826005
JCSO Cases 23-5639, 24-2046 — RURAL JACKSONVILLE, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives got a break in a suspicious death investigation and missing person case when skeletal remains were identified from a DNA comparison. The remains found outside Jacksonville in April of 2024 have been identified as Nathan Louis Merkel, 63, of Wimer. Merkel was reported missing in September of 2023. Next-of-kin has been notified. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
JCSO detectives are investigating the case and believe Merkel died via suspicious circumstances. Detectives have identified persons of interest who are currently out-of-county in custody on unrelated charges. The suspects names will be released pending further investigation and charges. Detectives believe there is no danger to the public at this time. No additional information is available for release.
April, 2024 Skeletal Remains News Release: Skeletal Remains Found in Rural Jacksonville Area, Detectives Investigating Suspicious Death JCSO Case 24-2046
RURAL JACKSONVILLE, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives are investigating a suspicious death after skeletal remains were discovered Sunday, April 14 outside Jacksonville in the Applegate area. JCSO detectives and medical examiners responded to investigate. The rugged terrain and remote area required JCSO Search and Rescue (SAR) to assist in recovering the remains. Due to the ongoing investigation, the exact location will not be released at this time.
Investigators are working to identify the subject and the cause and manner of death. Due to the advanced stages of decomposition, state medical examiners will conduct additional testing. This case is under further investigation with detectives following additional leads. No more information is available at this time.
Vehicle Strikes, Kills Bicyclist on Foothill Road in Central Point
JCSO Case 25-1564 CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – A vehicle struck and killed a bicyclist early this morning on Foothill Road near the intersection of Corey Road in rural Central Point. ECSO Dispatch received a 911 call from the involved driver at 4:44 AM. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies responded along with Jackson County Fire District 3 and Mercy Flights. The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital and pronounced deceased at 5:42 AM. Next-of-kin has been notified. The decedent is Matthew Edward Davenport, 45, of White City. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
Jackson County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team responded to investigate the incident. The preliminary investigation indicates a green 2021 Toyota 4Runner traveling southbound struck the bicyclist on the shoulder of Foothill Road. The driver is cooperating with the investigation and no criminal charges have been filed at this time.
The STAR Team consists of investigators from JCSO, Medford Police Department, Central Point Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. This case is under further investigation. There is no more information available for release at this time.
People Rally Around Oregon to Defend the Public Postal Service from Privatization
As part of an ongoing nationwide effort to rally support, United States postal workers around Oregon held a march last Sunday to decry any potential move to privatize the mail service. “Public mail is not for sale,” “It is the United States Postal Service, not the United States Postal Business”
People gathered at Vogel Plaza in Medford to show support for their local letter carrier branch.
Those at the Hell No to Dismantling the Postal Service rally held signs that read, Keep Postal Service Public, U.S. Mail Not for Sale, and Hands Off Our Postal Service.
Organizers of the local rally handed out a flyer that stated: “Any effort to privatize or restructure USPS is a direct threat to millions of households and businesses, especially in rural America.”
Organizers make the case for affordable housing project on Ashland school district property
A broad alliance of Ashland leaders continued their pitch Thursday for a proposed 90-plus unit affordable housing development that could boost enrollment at schools.
At the Ashland High Library, across the street from the proposed 4.18-acre project site at the southeast corner of South Mountain Avenue and East Main Street, about 70 people generally voiced support for the concept, though they had questions about the project’s complexity at what was billed as a listening session hosted by the Sunstone Housing Collaborative.
“Ashland has needed a project like this for 30 years,” said George Kramer, who was in the audience.
He said this project addresses a number of local goals for housing for school workers and families and also could improve the tax base.
Steven Essig, president of the Ashland chapter of Oregon School Employees Association, said this project would help people who work in Ashland schools live in Ashland.
He said a majority of the employees who work for the school district can’t afford to live here. “I make $38,000 (a year),” Essiq said. “My rent is $1,610 (a month).”
The proposed development, which would offer housing at around 60% of median income on average, would include ground floor commercial space for a childcare facility and community space, playground, and green spaces, in addition to apartments ranging from studio to three-bedroom housing.
The units will be available as rentals or potential ownership, depending on the housing unit, and a land trust will ensure the units remain affordable.
Preliminary drawings show a number of multi-story buildings in the project, including four-story buildings.
At this point, the development is still in the concept phase and no contracts or disposition and development agreements (DDAs) have been signed.
Making their case for the project are the Sunstone Housing Collaborative, established by two members of the Ashland School Board (Jill Franko and Dan Ruby); Portland-based Edlen & Co.; Ashland-based Arkitek: Design and Architecture; and Outlier Construction.
The housing development is intended for residents earning less than 120% of area median income, with a large share expected to be at 80% or less of median income, or a household earning $68,400 annually or less, according to statistics provided during the presentation.
Ashland resident Justin Donovan questioned whether the project would offer the benefits being touted. “It’s not guaranteed,” he said.
Kramer shot back, “It is guaranteed.”
Donovan said he thinks it’s a mistake that the school district would part with a 4.18-acre field for less than it could be sold for on the open market.
“Those are $3 million to $4 million fields —That’s where it falls off the rails.”
He suggested the project be located on a different property, suggesting land next to Willow Wind Community Learning Center at 1497 East Main St.
Greg Williams, who developed Verde Village in Ashland as affordable housing, said he he has seen first hand how difficult it is to build affordable housing in Ashland.
He said he didn’t see another property in Ashland that would be capable of this kind of development.
After the meeting, Williams responded to Donovan by saying that the property next to Willow Winds is outside the city’s urban growth boundary and bringing into city limits and rezoning it would add more complexity to the project and further delay it.
Ashland School Board Member Dan Ruby said the property value is not as important as the development of affordable housing.
“The value is not in the land, but in the increase in enrollment,” he said.
Ruby said the housing in the development is designed for families, though it would be open to all ages and backgrounds, and it is anticipated that people will only live in it for a short period of time while they are putting their kids through school.
Ruby said enrollment has been on a downward trend in Ashland since 2001, leading to the closure of two elementary schools, Briscoe and Lincoln.
“The root cause is the lack of affordable housing,” he said.
He said the development, which would place the land into trust, will ensure it remains affordable into the future, though he expects that families will only live in the housing for a relatively short period of time until their kids grow up.
“We don’t want housing where people are going to stay in it forever,” he said.
Krista Palmer, executive director of Sunstone Housing Collaborative, said the project would address another concern for local residents.
“We all recognize there is a severe lack of child care in Ashland,” she said.
Palmer said a collaboration with the Oregon Child Development Coalition will establish a child care center during the first phase of the project. The center will have early childhood learning for 20 children aged 3-5, and another area for 24 infants to toddlers
Another benefit to the project is addressing the need for about 150 students in the school district who do not have stable housing, Palmer said.
Ashland resident Chris Brown of Arkitek told the audience, “This isn’t a for-profit investment scheme.”
As a local soccer coach, Brown said he understands the concerns about losing a soccer field where the project is proposed, but he thinks there are opportunities to practice in other areas of town.
He said he has coached youth in the community who could not afford to play soccer.
“I paid out of pocket for some of the kids,” he said.
He said both he and his wife have invested considerable personal unpaid time in the design phase of this project.
Matt Edlen, a partner with Edlen and Co., said he and others have been “pushing, pushing, pushing” to answer the needs of the community to make the housing affordable, to provide accessibility for the disabled, including in the playground design, and to make it sustainable.
Fire resiliency is another important consideration in the design.
Edlen, who is the son-in-law of Greg Williams, said this is just the early phase of the design of project. If all goes well, construction could start in 2026 with people moving in around 2027.
Edlen said many more meetings will be held with the community.
He said the project will require different funding mechanisms, depending on the income levels that will be served. “We’re looking at a blended average of 60% of median income,” he said. (SOURCE)
Josephine Community Library District
Three Vehicle Crash This Morning in Central Point
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported in a three vehicle crash at the intersection of Table Rock Road and Villas Road in Central Point occurred around 8:12 a.m. this morning.
Tow trucks were on site and the road fully reopened after 9 a.m. Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.
Fatal Crash – Highway 199 – Josephine County
Oregon State Police – 03/21/25 2:44 PM
Josephine County, Ore. 21 Mar 2025- On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 5:23 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 199, near milepost 16, in Josephine County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Ford F-150, operated by Ethan Wayne Anderson (36) of Cave Junction, struck a pedestrian, Buck Carlos Gene Arby Ward (58) of Crescent City (CA), who was in the roadway for unknown reasons.
The pedistrian (Ward) was declared deceased at the scene. The operator of the Ford (Anderson) was reportedly not injured.
The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation. Weather conditions (fog) is being considered a contributing factor in the crash. OSP was assisted by Illinois Valley Fire.
Concerts in the Park Returns to Riverside Park This Summer!
Explore the beauty of Roseburg trees by entering the 2025 Arbor Day Photo Contest!
Roseburg Parks and Recreation invites you to grab your camera and capture a photo of your favorite tree or trees in the Roseburg area – including the great variety found in city parks — and possibly get your photo featured in the Spring 2025 City Connection e-newsletter!
The online contest began Monday, March 17. The deadline to enter is 5 p.m. Friday, April 18, 2025. However, photos can be taken at any time in Roseburg, Melrose, Green, Lookingglass, Garden Valley and Winchester. Be sure to include the photo location in your entry.
“Spring is the perfect time to go tree hunting in Roseburg. The trees are blooming, everything’s turning green again, and it should make for some really interesting photos,” said Roseburg Recreation Coordinator Tracy David.
The top three photos will be announced on Arbor Day – Friday, April 25 – on the Roseburg Parks and Recreation Facebook page. The photos also will be highlighted in the City Connection e-newsletter later this spring. Sign up to get the City Connection e-newsletter emailed to your inbox: https://shorturl.at/4pYKV.
Learn more, including where to submit your photo online: https://shorturl.at/suCvP
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkVpBS_Y6Pw
Illinois Valley Fire District is Hosting a FREE Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training in April 2025 Illinois Valley Fire District
The Addictions Recovery Center (ARC) in Medford is expanding its services with a new facility which is currently under construction. This will add 24 residential treatment beds to the ARC’s East Main Campus. See Video and Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ARC541/videos/520525737735442
The City of Ashland has streamlined the ADU application process to enhance housing options. It now offers a complete set of pre-approved ADU plans that meet local building codes for free to Ashland property owners.
To get ADU plan approval in Ashland, the Ashland Planning Division offers a free consultation. At the meeting, a City Planner will review your site and provide valuable guidance on the permit application process. The meeting is geared towards helping you understand zoning requirements, building codes, and any other considerations for ADU projects. Find free City of Ashland ADU plans hereSheriff’s Office issues advisory about motorhome and possible link to missing Prospect woman Deenah Padgett
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.
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’s going on five years now since Fauna Frey, 45, disappeared in Josephine County 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
Oregon Food Banks Face Shortages after Federal Administration Halts $500M in Aid
Oregon foodbanks across the state will lose access to food shipments and leave more Oregonians hungry, advocates say, after the Trump administration suspended a national emergency food program.
The administration halted $500 million in food aid that was slated for U.S. distribution this year. The Oregon Food Bank, which distributes food aid to 21 regional foodbanks and some 1,200 distribution sites, had been allocated 30 truckloads of food beginning in April under the program and another 60 truckloads that would have been delivered from July through December.
Together, the shipments would have comprised some 4.2 million pounds of food – truckloads of chicken, milk, fresh and canned fruits and vegetables – that end up on the shelves of food pantries around the state and provide a vital lifeline for families and individuals struggling with food security.
The program provided almost one-fifth of the food the Oregon Food Bank distributed last year, plus administrative funding to support distribution costs.
The Oregon Food Bank has been receiving food under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s emergency food assistance program since 2023. In 2024, the value of those shipments was $14 million, and it received $1 million in funding to cover administrative costs. The value of this year’s canceled shipments is an estimated $6 million, plus an additional $1 million to support distribution.
The food banks were provided no official reason for the program’s suspension. Last fall, the Biden administration announced that it was investing another $1 billion in the program, said Shannon Oliver, the Oregon Food Bank’s director of operations. She said there was no reason at the time to think the incoming administration would change that. So the organization was caught off guard when it got a notice in February from Feeding America, a national network of food banks, that the program had been frozen, and its food orders disappeared from the program’s portal.
“As the person that’s in charge of making our food projections, I feel like I kind of have to be on the conservative side and assume that it’s not coming back,” Oliver said. “What’s keeping me up at night is how to potentially make this up.”
The supply disruption comes as the organization] is seeing a record level of demand amid severe inflation in food prices. Last year its network of food banks and distribution sites around Oregon and southwest Washington saw 2.5 million visits, a 31% increase from the previous year. According to Feed America, about one in eight Oregonians, and one in six children in the state, faces food insecurity.
“The amount we’re distributing right now is not keeping pace with increased pantry visits and increased need out in the community,” Oliver said.
She said it was highly unlikely that traditional donors and local suppliers could make up the gap. Many are being hit by the same chaotic forces that have come from the new administration’s economic and immigration policies, including tariffs, supply chain disruptions and the threat of immigration raids on growers.
The upshot of the federal freeze, she said, will be fewer distributions to its regional food banks, smaller allowances and less choice for families visiting them, and the potential closure of some distribution and meal sites. (SOURCE)
ODF sends 26 firefighters to North Carolina
Last weekend, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) filled an order to send 26 firefighters and two agency representatives to North Carolina to assist in fighting numerous wildfires in the state. Many of the firefighters arrived in the state yesterday, March 23, and are assigned to the Black Cove incident in western North Carolina.
The two-week rotation with our North Carolina partners is our chance to return the favor. In 2024, North Carolina sent almost a whole incident management team along with several overhead positions in support of Oregon. The added capacity allowed some resource flexibility to ODF in a time when people and equipment were limited.
“Being able to have an additional incident management team (IMT) made it so we did not have to make the hard choice of prioritizing one fire over another,” said Blake Ellis, Fire Operations Manager. “At the time, we had two fires in need of an IMT and only one ODF team available. We were able to fill both incidents’ needs due to the extra support from our North Carolina partners.”
The firefighters were sent to North Carolina under mutual assistance agreements between the two states. When wildfire activity is low in Oregon, firefighters can be spared to help in places experiencing high levels of wildfire.
Oregon can and has called on its out-of-state partners to send resources when wildfire here exceeded our local and state capacity, most recently in 2024 when ODF received firefighters and equipment from about 21 states, provinces and territories.
“These agreements help bolster the complete and coordinated fire protection system and create a cache of reciprocal resources for all of us to call on when needed,” Michael Curran, ODF’s Fire Protection Division Chief, said.
So why does Oregon send resources to help other states? Through these mutual assistance agreements with other states, including Alaska, Hawaii and NW Canadian territories, we can share resources with one another, creating a larger, faster comprehensive fire management system.
“Know that we don’t share these resources without appropriate vetting. Before committing to any out-of-state deployment, we make sure that our own fire management system is still adequately staffed and ready to respond to fires here in Oregon. Serving Oregonians is our first and primary priority,” said Curran.
Could Oregon’s Property Tax Deferral for Disabled and Senior Homeowners program be the right fit for you or someone you know?
Most people think of April 15 as Tax Day, the day by which federal and state personal income tax returns need to be filed.
But for Oregon disabled and senior homeowners struggling to pay their property taxes, April 15 provides another deadline, and an opportunity take part in a program that could help them stay in their homes.
April 15 is the deadline to apply for the Oregon Property Tax Deferral for Disabled and Senior Homeowners Program.
The program helps senior and disabled homeowners stay in their homes by paying their property taxes for them subject to a lien that is repaid with 6 percent interest after deferral ends. This is not a tax exemption; the program is paying the current year taxes to the local governments. If a homeowner with a site built home had prior year taxes outstanding, once approved to the program they can request a delay of tax foreclosure from the county.
In 2024 the program paid more than $11.5 million in property taxes for 3,382 seniors and 419 disable homeowners.
How does the program work? Participants must be at least 62 years of age or disabled and eligible to receive federal Social Security Disability benefit and have owned and lived in their home for 5 years. Participants’ income for 2025 is limited to $60,000 and homesteads qualify if their home value is less than the calculated limit. See website link below for addition eligibility criteria.
Can I file late? Since 2022, eligible homeowners can apply to the program and pay a late application fee to the county up until December 1.
To obtain an application form or for more information please visit our Department of Revenue website at www.oregon.gov/dor/deferral.
You can also call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), we accept all relay calls.
One-third of Oregonians at risk: Governor warns state can’t cover Trump’s proposed Medicaid cuts
Governor Tina Kotek warned of potential impact to the Oregon Health Plan, which covers a third of Oregonians, if Republicans’ looming cuts to Medicaid go through.
Governor Tina Kotek expressed sharp criticism of the Trump administration’s approach to federal governance thus far during a wide-ranging interview on KGW’s “Straight Talk,” particularly highlighting concerns about potential Medicaid cuts and impacts on housing initiatives in the state.
In her third year in office, Kotek didn’t mince words when describing how the new administration’s policies are affecting Oregon, characterizing the federal government’s actions as erratic and disruptive to state operations.
“The federal dynamic has definitely created a lot of uncertainty,” Kotek said. “Governors have day-to-day duties. They need a federal government that’s clear, consistent … What I’m finding as a governor is that that’s very difficult with this administration, because they’re taking on a lot of things and doing it in a very erratic fashion, which is very hard for us.”
While acknowledging that new administrations typically try to implement their campaign promises, Kotek expressed disappointment with the execution. “I was hoping that we’d see some thoughtfulness, some clarity on how things were going to change,” she said. “Even I have been surprised by the kind of haphazard way he’s gone about things and how it’s really caused a lot of uncertainty here in Oregon.”
Specifically, the governor criticized workforce cuts across federal agencies, including the Department of Education, which has so far lost approximately half its staff. Kotek called the federal government’s mass firings “very scattershot” with how jobs are being cut, an apparent lack of understanding of who is being cut, and then the need to add people back.
“I’ve been communicating directly with secretaries in the Trump administration about, ‘Hey, you’ve cut these jobs that are really important for this thing or that thing,’ whether it’s fighting fires or maintaining our electrical grid,” Kotek said. “These are really important things. So, if you’re going to right-size government, you have to do it thoughtfully.”
Medicaid cuts would be ‘devastating’ for Oregon — Kotek expressed particular concern about proposed federal Medicaid cuts, which would significantly impact Oregon, where approximately one-third of residents rely on the program.
Trump is pushing the GOP-led Congress to pass what he calls a “big beautiful bill,” that includes some $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and $2 trillion in spending reductions, which would inevitably require funding to be slashed from Medicaid, which provides health care and other services to millions of Americans.
“I’ve been very vocal about what we’re hearing out of D.C. to cut Medicaid,” Kotek said. “I’m not hearing good proposals. I’m just hearing that they want to take money from Medicaid, which in Oregon is the Oregon Health Plan, to fund tax breaks for billionaires. That is literally what they’re doing.”
The governor warned that such cuts would have serious consequences for vulnerable populations across the state.
“It’d be devastating if some of the things that I’m hearing from Washington D.C., it will have real impact on people’s lives,” Kotek said. “It’s folks who are already working who don’t get health coverage from their employer that are covered, people with disabilities, folks who aren’t going to be able to work need this care, and then let’s not forget about our seniors. A lot of folks who are in long-term care in nursing homes and other facilities, it’s because they get help from Medicaid.”
According to data from the Oregon Health Authority, as of February, Medicaid covered more than 1.4 million Oregonians, including about 57% of all children in the state.
If federal cuts are made to Medicaid, Kotek said the state will unlikely be able to pick up the tab, resulting in cuts to the Oregon Health Plan.
“If we don’t have a strong federal partnership with Medicaid to help us fund the Oregon Health Plan, we would have to make cuts,” she said. “There’s just no way around it.”
Climate funding freeze impacts housing projects — The Trump administration’s recent freeze on climate-related grants includes nearly $200 million in pollution protection funding that Oregon was counting on for various projects.
“We’re going to fight for every dollar that was promised by the federal government,” Kotek said, noting the freeze is already affecting housing development. “We know of a housing complex that is getting built in Tillamook County who was expecting those dollars to help them put energy efficient appliances into the housing that they’re building, and now they’re on hold.”
Kotek called the administration’s withholding of congressionally approved funds as potentially “illegal.”
“When the federal government says you’ve won an award and we have promised you these dollars, they need to come here,” she added. “And frankly, I believe it’s illegal that the Trump administration is holding those things back. Congress approved them. We signed on the dotted line, and we should see those dollars come to Oregon.”
Housing crisis requires ‘all types’ of solutions — Addressing Oregon’s ongoing housing crisis, Kotek said it remains one of her top priorities, emphasizing the need for diverse housing solutions — including single-family homes, which has become less talked about as the state strives for more affordable and denser housing.
“We need all types of housing,” Kotek said. “More housing lowers the price. It’s a supply and demand issue.”
Some of the ways Kotek said she’s looking to do this is by reducing permitting barriers and streamlining construction processes, noting that “time is money for folks who are building.”
Kotek set an ambitious statewide goal of adding 32,000 new housing units a year when she first took office. In the interview, she said the goals is now closer to 28,000 units a year over the next 10 years. “Nothing is more important to me than getting people housed.”
The newest “Straight Talk” episode airs Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 p.m., and Monday at 7 p.m. “Straight Talk” is also available as a podcast.
Supporters Rally for Food for All Oregonians Bill
Hundreds of people from across Oregon gathered in Salem for an advocacy day last week, urging lawmakers to pass what’s known as the Food for All Oregonians bill.
Supported by a coalition of more than 180 organizations, it would ensure older adults and children could get food assistance regardless of their immigration status.
Research shows hunger rates are rising across the state, leaving one in six children facing food insecurity.
Oregon Food Bank’s Associate Director Cristina Marquez said access to food benefits supported her family growing up, and made it easier for her to go to college.
“We know that programs like SNAP are the most effective anti-hunger tools we have,” said Marquez, “being able to lift folks out of poverty each year and keeping families stable.”
Food for All Oregonians would create a new, state-run program similar to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
Youth and older adults who would otherwise qualify for SNAP except for their immigration status, would be eligible. Opponents of the bill are concerned about its cost.
It is scheduled for a public hearing tomorrow in Salem.
Oregon Food Bank points to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showing every $1 spent on food assistance generates about $1.50 for local economies.
Marquez added that immigrants of all statuses contribute to the state’s functioning, especially in agriculture.
“Many of the folks that would be affected by the passage of Food For All Oregonians are folks that are currently farm workers,” said Marquez, “essential workers, critical to many of the industries here in Oregon.”
Marquez noted that California and Washington have already enacted similar policies extending food benefits to people regardless of immigration status.
Food for All Oregonians is part of an immigrant justice package of bills, which would ensure legal representation for immigrants and create a farm worker disaster relief fund. (SOURCE)
Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs
No veteran should be without a place to call home, and the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is committed to ending veteran homelessness in our state.
The new ODVA Houseless Veterans Program collaborates with federal, state, county, and Tribal agencies, veteran services offices, and community homeless service providers to meet the urgent and unique needs of Oregon’s diverse veteran communities challenged with housing stability.
In addition to advocating for Oregon veterans experiencing or at risk for houselessness, the program provides direct service to veterans and their families seeking federal and state veterans’ benefits, including access to local VA health care, documentation of service, as well as other available state benefits, and local homeless services organizations and low-income assistance programs.
If you or a veteran you know is dealing with homelessness, contact the ODVA Houseless Veterans Coordinator today at houselessvets@odva.oregon.gov or visit https://ow.ly/V4EH50VnL93 to learn more.
A bill limiting Oregon landlords from increasing rentals more than once a year is under consideration by lawmakers.
Tenants Must Be Given Three Months Notice
If passed, Senate Bill 722 will ensure tenants are given a three-month notice of increases and that rent hikes do not exceed the legal percentage limit set by Oregon state law, linked to the Consumer Price Index.
Landlords exceeding the legal limit will face penalties, while tenants can sue for three months rent plus additional damages where applicable. Every month of violation will be considered a separate offense.
The lawsuit claims that RealPage is an intermediary algorithm that exploits sensitive rental data, enriching compliant landlords by tenants paying inflated prices.
A public hearing of Bill 722 will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, 6 March, at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem.
At present, newly built apartments are exempt from rent control for the first 15 years of operation. SB 722 wants to reduce the exemption period from 15 to seven years to allow tenants in newer apartment complexes to receive rent increase protection sooner.
Landlords will be prohibited from using AI software to set rentals and vacancy rates.
The bill will allow tenants to form committees to address issues at their residences. Landlords must meet with the committee within 10 to 30 days of a request. Meetings will be allowed up to twice annually unless both parties agree otherwise.
The chief sponsor of Bill 722 is Oregon Senator Chris Gorsek, who wants to safeguard tenants from losing the roof over their heads.
It originates from a lawsuit against RealPage, a rental pricing software package, by Oregon and seven other states last year.
A new bill on the Oregon house floor is taking wide swings at allocating funding to pay for anticipated wildfire costs in the next biennium including a proposed surcharge on bottles and cans.
State Representatives John Lively and Bobby Levy introduced HB 3940, a bipartisan proposal aimed at funding wildfire prevention and suppression in Oregon. The bill creates new provisions, directing multiple funding sources towards the State Fire Marshal’s office to make up for a projected shortfall of about $300 million.
Sources include insurance and forest harvest taxes, the Oregon Rainy Day Fund, and a 5¢ surcharge on each beverage container sold in the state. Representative John Lively from Springfield says not every recommendation from the bill is meant to pass, but rather a combination of solutions.
Ashland Senator Jeff Golden says his own plan to hold back Oregon’s Kicker would help fund wildfire needs if HB 3940 doesn’t get through the legislature, or fails to raise enough money. The bill was sent to the House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment, but has not yet been scheduled for a public hearing.
State Agencies Issue Unpaid Toll Scam Alert
The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) are warning residents of a new scam.
“Scammers posing as DMV and ODOT are texting cell phones about unpaid toll fees,” a release from the two state agencies states. “The messages vary, but essentially claim you have a past due toll balance that must be paid immediately to avoid DMV fines or having your license suspended. These are fake messages and phishing scams trying to get payment information from unsuspecting Oregonians.”
ODOT officials said the agency does not have a toll program.
DMV does send text messages for actions initiated by the customer, but the messages never include links to verify personal information, according to the DMV.
“For example, when a customer establishes a DMV2U account, a security code may be sent by text to establish verification,”? the release states. “Customers may also receive a DMV appointment reminder or cancellation notice by text.”
DMV officials recommend that if you receive such a fraud text, you immediately delete the text message and block the number.
“Clicking on a suspicious text message or payment link will take you to a website where you are at a high risk of getting your personal and financial information stolen,” the state agencies warn. “ODOT and DMV staff members are unable to provide technical assistance with a customer’s phone.”
How the scam works
- Urgency and threat. The texts often create a sense of urgency, claiming unpaid tolls and threatening fines or penalties if you don’t pay immediately.
- Links to phishing sites. They include links that, if clicked, lead to fake websites designed to steal your personal and financial information.
- Impersonation. Scammers impersonate ODOT or other tolling agencies, making the texts seem legitimate.
How to protect yourself
- Don’t click links. If you receive a text about unpaid tolls, do not click on any links or provide any information.
- Verify with ODOT directly. Contact ODOT through their official website or phone number to confirm if you owe any tolls.
- Report the scam. Contact the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392 or file a complaint online. You can also file a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center and the Federal Trade Commission.
- Be cautious of suspicious texts. Be wary of any text message that demands immediate action or asks for personal information or payment.
- Delete the text: Once you’ve reported the scam, delete the text message and block the number to prevent further potential harm.
If you click a link or provide your information
- Secure your personal information and financial accounts.
- Dispute any unfamiliar charges.
You can also verify a message’s legitimacy by contacting ODOT directly at 1-888-Ask-ODOT and DMV directly at 1-855-540-6655. For more information about fraud prevention, visit Oregon DMV.
Oregon Heritage Released 2024 Oregon Main Street Annual Report
– Oregon Heritage just released the 2024 Oregon Main Street Annual report. A copy of the report can be found on the Oregon Main Street website: www.oregonmainstreet.org.
The report highlights the collective impact of communities participating in the Main Street Track of the Oregon Main Street Network in 2024, including over $24 million in private sector investment, 168 net new businesses, 1,652 net new jobs, and over 293 building rehab projects. In addition, volunteers contributed almost 34,000 of volunteer hours to make their communities better places to live, work, shop, and experience. The cumulative impact since 2010 is also included in the report.
The report also features community spotlights on projects and activities happening on Main Street in Oregon including the HRVI building restoration project in Chiloquin which was a recipient of a $200,000 Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant in 2022 and is nearing completion.
Currently, there are over 100 communities in Oregon participating in one of the different levels of the Oregon Main Street Network: Accredited Main Street, Designated Main Street, Affiliated Main Street, Connected Communities, or as part of one of the Rural Regional Main Street hubs. There isn’t a fee to participate in the Oregon Main Street Network.
Oregon Main Street (OMS) is part of Heritage Programs in Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. OMS is designed to assist with the revitalization of historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts, promote economic development, and encourage historic preservation. The program uses an approach that advocates a return to community self-reliance, local empowerment, and the rebuilding of central business districts based on their assets, unique architecture, personal service, local ownership and entrepreneurship, and sense of community.
The Oregon Department of Revenue has added features to the “Where’s My Refund” tool.
Users can learn more about the status of their refund, they can see when additional information is needed, and the website is easier to navigate. To use the tool, taxpayers need to create a login at Revenue Online. https://revenueonline.dor.oregon.gov/tap/_/
Oregon’s newest refundable personal income tax credit put more than $39 million into the pockets of low-income families in its first year in 2024.
The Oregon Kids Credit, created by the Legislature in 2023, is a refundable credit for low-income people with young dependent children. For those with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $25,750 or less, the full credit is $1,000 per child for up to five dependent children under the age of six at the end of the tax year—a maximum benefit of $5,000. A partial credit is available for individuals and families with an MAGI up to $30,750.
So far in 2025, more than 22,000 taxpayers have claimed $25 million in benefits from the Oregon Kids Credit.
When combined with the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and the Oregon Earned Income Credit, it could help boost the tax refund for the lowest income families by a total of $13,770.
The EITC is for people with an adjusted gross income of up to $66,818 in 2024. Families may be eligible for a maximum refundable credit of $7,830 on their federal tax return, and a maximum Oregon EIC of $940 on their state tax return.
All three credits are fully refundable, meaning the portion of the credit that is larger than what a taxpayer owes can be refunded. Taxpayers may even be able to claim the credits and receive a tax refund if they don’t normally file a tax return.
To claim the credits, taxpayers must file a return. To assist taxpayers, Oregon offers several free filing options, including free fillable forms and the new Direct File Oregon. Taxpayers who need help filing their taxes can also find free assistance options on the agency website.
Families who are eligible for the Oregon Kids Credit are also likely eligible for the refundable Working Family Household and Dependent Care Credit (WFHDC), which helps low- to moderate-income families pay for the care of their dependents while they’re working, looking for work, or attending school.
For more information about the federal EITC, the Oregon EIC, the Oregon Kids Credit and other similar credits, go to the Tax benefits for families page.
Taxpayers filing their own 2024 income tax returns can get free assistance using the new combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon when Oregon Department of Revenue volunteers visit libraries across the state this tax season.
OHA urges people to check immunity against measles; get vaccinated
As cases appear in other states, including neighboring California, Oregon health officials recommend measures to stay safe
With spring break and summer travel season approaching, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) encourages people to make sure they are protected against measles. Getting the MMR vaccine — for measles, mumps and rubella — is the most effective prevention tool against the highly contagious virus.
Twelve U.S. states, including California, Texas and New Mexico, have reported cases of measles since Jan 1. While Oregon has no cases so far in 2025, last year the state recorded 31 confirmed cases — its highest measles count in more than 30 years — during an outbreak among unvaccinated people, including two children younger than 5.
“Measles is an amazingly contagious virus that unfortunately in recent years has re-emerged in our communities, primarily due to a declining percentage of people who are getting vaccinated,” said Paul Cieslak, M.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA’s Public Health Division.
“Measles is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection for individuals who haven’t received immunity through the MMR vaccine,” said Dawn Nolt, M.D., M.P.H., professor of pediatrics (infectious diseases) in the OHSU School of Medicine.
“The good news is that we have a highly safe and effective vaccine – it is our strongest line of defense and the best way to keep yourself, your children and your community safe. If you have questions about the vaccine, we encourage you to talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns.” she said.
Cieslak said anyone planning travel to countries or states where measles is circulating should get the MMR vaccine before they go. “Getting the vaccine now will allow you to start building immunity prior to your trip,” he said.
Cieslak addresses common questions about measles, symptoms, the vaccine and more here: https://covidblog.oregon.gov/measles-what-you-should-know/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
More CDC recommendations can be found here.
Increasing awareness and education about primary prevention, public health risks and preventive health services are among actions OHA is taking as part of its 2024–2027 Strategic Plan.
The plan further supports expanding access to vaccines and other health resources for children, parents and families in all communities in Oregon. — To learn more about measles and to receive daily status updates of measles outbreak data, visit OHA’s Measles and Rubeola web page.
Oregon Humane Society Warns about Scam Regarding Medical Bills for Your Lost Pet
Scammers are targeting the owners of lost pets pretending to be the Oregon Humane Society, the real Oregon Humane Society said on Friday.
In a so-called “spoofing” scam, the callers tell pet owners that their missing pet is injured and needs medical care. Then they demand payment.
“This scam preys on vulnerable people who are searching for their lost pet, which makes it particularly cruel,” Laura Klink, public information officer for the Oregon Humane Society said in a news release.
The calls even look like they are coming from the Oregon Humane Society’s main number, Klink said.
The humane society uses online payment portals including ezyVet and PayJunction, Klink said, so it’s a red flag if the caller asks for money through services like Zelle or Venmo.
If pet owners are concerned they’re being targeted by this scam, they should hang up and call the Oregon Humane Society directly at (503) 285-7722, Klink said.
Spring Whale Watch Week on Oregon coast for spring break 2025
_(1).JPG)
OREGON COAST, Oregon— Oregon State Parks will host Spring Whale Watch Week along the Oregon Coast Saturday, March 22 through Sunday, March 30.
Trained Oregon State Park volunteers and rangers will be stationed at 14 sites along the Oregon Coast to help visitors spot whales and their calves and answer questions from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily March 22-30.
The sites are some of the best places to watch for whales on the Oregon Coast. Cape Foulweather will not be included this year because it is closed due to construction.
“Spring is a great time for whale watching because the gray whales are usually closer to shore on their return trip, typically around a mile or so out, and they might have calves in tow,” said Park Ranger Peter McBride.
An estimated 19,260 gray whales are expected to swim past Oregon’s shores from late winter through June as part of their annual migration back to Alaska.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced an end to an Unusual Mortality Event impacting gray whales in 2023. Since then, the estimated population has increased by roughly 30% from 14,530 in 2023 to 19,260 last year, according to NOAA. The numbers are on the rise overall, but the calf count is still low as the population continues to rebound.
Whale Watch Week provides an opportunity to see not only the gray whales but other coastal wildlife including birds and other marine mammals with help from trained volunteers and rangers.
A map of volunteer-staffed sites is available online on the official event webpage: https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=thingstodo.dsp_whaleWatching
The Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 22-30. Visitors to the center can enjoy interactive whale exhibits and take in the panoramic ocean views. Binoculars are provided. Rangers from Oregon State Parks will also be on hand to answer questions about the whales.
All Whale Watch Week visitors are encouraged to dress for the weather, to bring binoculars and to follow beach safety guidelines such as remaining out of fenced areas, knowing the tide schedule and keeping an eye on the surf at all times. Go to https://visittheoregoncoast.com/beach-safety/ for a list of safety tips.
For more information about coast parks and campgrounds, visit stateparks.oregon.gov.
Visitors are encouraged to share their photos and videos from Spring Whale Watch on social media using #OregonStateParks and #ORWhaleWatch.
Northwest Digital Heritage reaches one million digital records of cultural heritage collections available to view online
Salem, OR – People around Oregon and the world now have free access to search over one million digitized photographs, letters, documents, and more from around the Pacific Northwest. These historic and cultural materials are available in Northwest Digital Heritage, a website that searches the collections of over 300 regional libraries, museums, and cultural heritage organizations.
Northwest Digital Heritage is an online search portal that gathers records from the online collections of libraries, museums, universities, historical societies, and other organizations in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The site was created in 2021 through a partnership between the Oregon Heritage Commission, State Library of Oregon, and Washington State Library.
Items available through Northwest Digital Heritage span topics, from football and women’s suffrage to Tribal treaties, Black history and culture, Crater Lake, and much more. The content has proven valuable to educators and students doing classroom projects, genealogists researching family connections, scholarly researchers, historians, cultural heritage organizations making exhibits, and other lifelong learners.
The over one million materials include over 60,000 photos from Oregon State Archives’ Oregon Scenic Images Collection, 20,000 items from the Oregon Historical Society Research Library, 5,000 records from the Harney County Library, 13,000 images from the Salem Public Library, and nearly 2,000 materials from the Five Oaks Museum in Washington County.
The collections in Northwest Digital Heritage are also included in the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA), which helps bring this unique and local Northwest content to a national audience. More than 5,000 institutions throughout the nation have contributed over 50 million records to the DPLA to date.
“Being able to search one million records for primary sources documenting the human experience in the Pacific Northwest is an incredible opportunity for those interested in history,” says Katie Henry, Oregon Heritage Commission Coordinator. “The three Northwest Digital Heritage partners know these are only a fraction of cultural materials held by hundreds of organizations across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. We look forward to working with existing and new partners to continue growing this incredible resource.”
In addition to helping make this resource available, the Oregon Heritage Commission, State Library of Oregon, and Washington State Library assist heritage organizations across the Pacific Northwest. Such assistance includes:
- Training, resources, information, and guidance on digitizing and making collections accessible online;
- Grants and funding opportunities; and
- Hosting organizations’ online collections.
Northwest Digital Heritage is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon and Washington State Library. To learn more visit https://www.northwestdigitalheritage.org.
Lincoln Co. District Attorney’s Office Requests Help Solving Kelly Disney Homicide
WE NEED YOUR HELP! 17-year-old Kelly Disney was last seen in the early morning hours on March 9, 1984, walking eastbound on Highway 20 near U.S. 101 in Newport, Oregon. Kelly was observed on Highway 20 by several witnesses before disappearing and never being seen alive again.
In July 1994, Kelly’s skull was found in an abandoned vehicle near Big Creek Reservoir outside of Newport, Oregon. It appeared her skull had recently been placed at that location and her death was ruled a homicide. Kelly’s disappearance and homicide remain unsolved.
The Lincoln County District Attorney’s Cold Case Team is seeking information from the community in an effort to solve the 40-year-old disappearance and homicide of Kelly Disney. We believe there are individuals in our community who may have information that could assist in this investigation.
If you knew Kelly or heard about her disappearance, we want to hear from you. Whether you experienced something firsthand or heard information thirdhand, that information is valuable. No matter how insignificant you feel the information might be, we still want to hear from you.
It is never too late to come forward and share information. If you do not want to reveal the circumstances in which you obtained the information, you can report information anonymously.
SUBMIT A TIP: CALL: (541) 265-0669 —- EMAIL: FindKellyDisney@co.lincoln.or.us
Spring Whale Watch Week returns to the Oregon coast for spring break 2025
OREGON COAST, Oregon— Oregon State Parks will host Spring Whale Watch Week along the Oregon Coast Saturday, March 22 through Sunday, March 30.
Trained Oregon State Park volunteers and rangers will be stationed at 14 sites along the Oregon Coast to help visitors spot whales and their calves and answer questions from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily March 22-30.
The sites are some of the best places to watch for whales on the Oregon Coast. Cape Foulweather will not be included this year because it is closed due to construction.
“Spring is a great time for whale watching because the gray whales are usually closer to shore on their return trip, typically around a mile or so out, and they might have calves in tow,” said Park Ranger Peter McBride.
An estimated 19,260 gray whales are expected to swim past Oregon’s shores from late winter through June as part of their annual migration back to Alaska.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced an end to an Unusual Mortality Event impacting gray whales in 2023. Since then, the estimated population has increased by roughly 30% from 14,530 in 2023 to 19,260 last year, according to NOAA. The numbers are on the rise overall, but the calf count is still low as the population continues to rebound.
Whale Watch Week provides an opportunity to see not only the gray whales but other coastal wildlife including birds and other marine mammals with help from trained volunteers and rangers.
A map of volunteer-staffed sites is available online on the official event webpage: https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=thingstodo.dsp_whaleWatching
The Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 22-30. Visitors to the center can enjoy interactive whale exhibits and take in the panoramic ocean views. Binoculars are provided. Rangers from Oregon State Parks will also be on hand to answer questions about the whales.
All Whale Watch Week visitors are encouraged to dress for the weather, to bring binoculars and to follow beach safety guidelines such as remaining out of fenced areas, knowing the tide schedule and keeping an eye on the surf at all times. Go to https://visittheoregoncoast.com/beach-safety/ for a list of safety tips.
For more information about coast parks and campgrounds, visit stateparks.oregon.gov.
Visitors are encouraged to share their photos and videos from Spring Whale Watch on social media using #OregonStateParks and #ORWhaleWatch.
Northwest Digital Heritage reaches one million digital records of cultural heritage collections available to view online
Salem, OR – People around Oregon and the world now have free access to search over one million digitized photographs, letters, documents, and more from around the Pacific Northwest. These historic and cultural materials are available in Northwest Digital Heritage, a website that searches the collections of over 300 regional libraries, museums, and cultural heritage organizations.
Northwest Digital Heritage is an online search portal that gathers records from the online collections of libraries, museums, universities, historical societies, and other organizations in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The site was created in 2021 through a partnership between the Oregon Heritage Commission, State Library of Oregon, and Washington State Library. Items available through Northwest Digital Heritage span topics, from football and women’s suffrage to Tribal treaties, Black history and culture, Crater Lake, and much more. The content has proven valuable to educators and students doing classroom projects, genealogists researching family connections, scholarly researchers, historians, cultural heritage organizations making exhibits, and other lifelong learners. The over one million materials include over 60,000 photos from Oregon State Archives’ Oregon Scenic Images Collection, 20,000 items from the Oregon Historical Society Research Library, 5,000 records from the Harney County Library, 13,000 images from the Salem Public Library, and nearly 2,000 materials from the Five Oaks Museum in Washington County. The collections in Northwest Digital Heritage are also included in the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA), which helps bring this unique and local Northwest content to a national audience. More than 5,000 institutions throughout the nation have contributed over 50 million records to the DPLA to date. “Being able to search one million records for primary sources documenting the human experience in the Pacific Northwest is an incredible opportunity for those interested in history,” says Katie Henry, Oregon Heritage Commission Coordinator. “The three Northwest Digital Heritage partners know these are only a fraction of cultural materials held by hundreds of organizations across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. We look forward to working with existing and new partners to continue growing this incredible resource.” In addition to helping make this resource available, the Oregon Heritage Commission, State Library of Oregon, and Washington State Library assist heritage organizations across the Pacific Northwest. Such assistance includes:
- Training, resources, information, and guidance on digitizing and making collections accessible online;
- Grants and funding opportunities; and
- Hosting organizations’ online collections.
Northwest Digital Heritage is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon and Washington State Library. To learn more visit https://www.northwestdigitalheritage.org.
OREGON DIVISION OF FINANCIAL REGULATION CREATES COMMERCIAL INSURANCE GUIDES FOR BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS
Salem – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) recently released a series of new consumer guides focused on commercial property and casualty insurance. The five new guides can be found on DFR’s website:
- Guides to commercial property and casualty insurance
- Shelters – Guide to commercial property and casualty insurance
- Nonprofits – Guide to commercial property and casualty insurance
- Child care providers – Guide to commercial property and casualty insurance
- Restaurants – Guide to commercial property and casualty insurance
These guides explain key features of commercial insurance policies, how to plan for and purchase coverage, and what to do if you are having difficulty finding insurance for your business. It also includes useful descriptions of different types of coverage and what factors insurers use to determine what premium you pay. Individual guides are also available that define special considerations for shelters, nonprofits, child care facilities, and restaurants. These provide tips for overcoming distinct challenges encountered with these types of organizations and businesses. “By taking proactive measures, business owners and nonprofits can better manage their risks and ensure they have the necessary protection in place,” said Andrew Stolfi, Oregon’s insurance commissioner and director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. “We are hopeful these guides can help people navigate the intricacies of insurance and better understand terminology, technicalities, and how to get coverage if a commercial entity is struggling to obtain coverage in traditional markets.” DFR has a variety of other publications to help consumers with auto insurance, health and life insurance, disaster resources, student loans, managing your finances, and more on its website. If you have questions about your insurance, contact your insurance company or agent, or you can contact one of DFR’s consumer advocates at 1-888-877-4894 (toll-free) or at dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.
Indigenous Speakers Series Returns to the Museum in April with Three Inspiring Events
BEND, OR — This coming April, explore identity, cultures and how to live the good life when the High Desert Museum’s Indigenous Speaker Series returns. Promising a vibrant showcase of Indigenous voices, the series features an array of Indigenous artists, storytellers, scholars and more who share their unique perspectives with the community.
“We are honored to once again collaborate with Indigenous knowledge holders to bring vital conversations to our visitors,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “The April events are a continuation of an effort to elevate Indigenous voices to share the issues and cultures of the High Desert.”
The three April events explore topics such as identity, creativity, community and portraiture. Two of the events are connected to an exhibition open now at the Museum, Frank S. Matsura: Portraits from the Borderland. Featuring 20-plus enlarged portraits taken by Matsura of Native peoples in the early 1900s, the exhibition provides visitors a unique look at life in Okanogan County in Washington state during a time of transition. The exhibition originated at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane, Wash.
On April 1, Michael Holloman (Colville Confederated Tribes), a Washington State University associate professor and a curator of the original exhibition, will lead a panel discussion that looks deeper into Matsura’s life. “Frank S. Matsura: His Life and Portraits” also includes film and media scholar Glen Mimura and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Beth Harrington. The event will consider Matsura’s experiences as a Japanese-born photographer and his nuanced imagery of Native communities. Tickets are $5, with a 20% discount for Museum members and free entry for Tribal members. For tickets, visit highdesertmuseum.org/matsura-portraits.
Then, on April 25, the Museum will host LaRonn Katchia (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs), the director of Pathfinders, for a discussion of the short film. Katchia, a Warm Springs/Wasco/Paiute filmmaker and storyteller, will be joined by Thyreicia Simtustus, Kahmussa Green and Kiahna Allen (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs), who are featured in the film. Part of the Matsura exhibition at the Museum, the film explores how the three young leaders are finding their own paths in balancing Native and non-Native worlds. Tickets are $5, with Members receiving a 20% discount and free entry for Tribal members. For tickets, visit highdesertmuseum.org/pathfinders.
In between those two events, on April 17, the Museum will host Chris La Tray, Métis storyteller and award-winning author of Becoming Little Shell. La Tray will discuss the Anishinaabe word Mino-bimaadiziwin, meaning “the good life.” The concept emphasizes the importance of community well-being and living in harmony with the world around us. At its simplest, it is living a life in balance, but how?
Montana’s Poet Laureate from 2023-2025, La Tray is a descendent of the Pembina Band of the mighty Red River of the North and a member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. His first book, One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large, won the 2018 Montana Book Award and a 2019 High Plains Book Award. The event includes light refreshment and a no-host bar. Tickets are $12, with members receiving a 20% discount and free entry for Tribal members. For tickets, visit highdesertmuseum.org/the-good-life.
The Indigenous Speakers Series is made possible by The Roundhouse Foundation, with additional support from Author’s Unbound for the April 17 Chris La Tray event. For more information and to purchase tickets for Indigenous Speakers Series events, visit highdesertmuseum.org/indigenous-speakers-series.
ABOUT THE MUSEUM:
THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Registration is closing soon for the Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little (Virtual) 5K
Oregon Parks Forever — Inspired by American painter and PBS television personality Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, Oregon Parks Forever is sponsoring a virtual 5K race to help plant trees in Oregon’s parks & forests. Registration is now open for the 2025 Run for the Trees at www.orparksforever.org.
Inspired by American painter and PBS television personality Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, Oregon Parks Forever is sponsoring a virtual 5K race to help plant trees in Oregon’s parks & forests. You must register by April 1st in order to get your shirts and medal before the event. Participants can walk, run, paddle or roll to complete their 5K anywhere outdoors anytime between April 19 and 27 (covering Earth Day and Arbor Day). Participants are encouraged to register by April 1 to ensure that your swag arrives before the event week. If you register after April 1, you may not receive your swag before race week. Registration will close on April 15. For $36 per person, each participant will receive a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative bib number and a finisher’s medal. All Oregon race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts in Oregon parks. Ten trees will be planted in Oregon for each registration. This year, the trees will be planted in the Santiam Canyon. Initially, the “Happy Little Trees” program began with a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Bob Ross Inc., with hundreds of volunteers helping to plant “happy little trees” at locations hard-hit by invasive pests and tree diseases. The partnership quickly expanded to include the Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K. As the Happy Little 5K gained popularity, more states have joined the effort. Now in its fifth year, the Happy Little 5K has expanded its reach to include eleven other states. Together, Michigan, Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Maryland, Virginia and Tennessee will “lock arms” as they help raise awareness and funding for stewardship efforts in each state’s parks. “We are thrilled to partner with Bob Ross, Inc. and these other eleven states on the Happy Little 5K concept as a way to honor the late Bob Ross and create a legacy event to plant trees,” said Seth Miller, Executive Director of Oregon Parks Forever.” Oregon Parks Forever is joining this event as an expansion of our efforts to fund the replanting of trees killed by wildfires, heat domes and invasive insects. Over the past two years, Oregon Parks Forever has been able to fund the replanting of more than 800,000 trees across Oregon. “The official Bob Ross 5K is probably our most favorite initiative,” says Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Company. “It’s the perfect blend of everything Bob held dear; nature, taking care of the environment, and happy trees too of course. He would have been so pleased to see how it’s getting so popular around the world.” Learn more about the program at www.orparksforever.org.
The long-delayed deadline for REAL ID is now less than 2 months away. There’s a chance that full enforcement may get gradually rolled out, but May 7, 2025, is the changeover deadline.
Starting then, state-level ID cards, such as driver’s licenses, won’t be accepted for federal purposes, namely getting through airport security, unless it’s REAL ID-compliant.
If you plan to catch a domestic flight on or after May 7, you will be required to use a REAL ID. A little gold or black star in the upper right-hand corner is one of the easiest ways to know you’re holding a REAL ID.
In Oregon, it’s a black star. A REAL ID is an identification card that serves all of the same purposes of a standard drivers’ license or state-issued identification card. A federally-mandated switch to REAL ID for federal purposes, such as flying domestically, was originally signed into law by Congress in 2005.
The purpose is to establish “minimum security standards for license issuance and production,” according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website. The law, established four years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, came in response to federal calls for higher security standards in the U.S. Originally, the law mandated the switch to REAL ID by 2008, but it has been pushed back for various reasons due to logistical hurdles and later the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1109674113319848
Call us at 541-690-8806. Or email us at Info@RogueValleyMagazine.com