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
Monday, April 7, 2025
Rogue Valley Weather
US National Weather Service Medford Oregon
Oregonians turned out by the thousands for the “Hands Off” protest Saturday from Ashland to Astoria, from Medford to Salem, Portland to Pendleton, Madras to Klamath Falls and dozens of towns in between.
The common theme of demonstrations in Oregon and across the U.S.: President Donald Trump, billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency need to take their “Hands Off” of Medicaid, Social Security, reproductive rights, tariffs, immigrants, LGBTQ+ Americans and more.
Several Oregon news outlets agreed to share reporting and photos to give readers a fuller look that none could provide on their own. Excerpts from those reports are below.
Medford
Thousands gathered at Hawthorn Park and Vogel Plaza in Medford
Grants Pass
Ashland
Ashland filled blocks and blocks with people!
Saturday morning’s 300 or so protestors on Ashland Plaza were uniform in their objections to everything Donald Trump has done since his return to office, as well as the actions of Elon Musk, adding Ashland voices to a nationwide chorus declaring “Hands Off” a wide range of government programs threatened with cuts, as well as democracy itself.
Amidst chants of “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go” and “The people, united, will never be defeated,” the crowd gathered along North Main Street where passing cars honked their support.
The predominantly older crowd identified concerns about prospective cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid as among their chief concerns.
Kay Hagen, 65, said she joined the rally “because I feel like I have to do something. This is wrong. This is not the country I was raised in. This is not OK.” Read more from Debora Gordon at Ashland.news.
Klamath Falls: Rally gathers estimated 400 people
Southern Oregonians had a message for the White House this weekend: “We fight for democracy.”
In the Republican stronghold of Klamath County, an estimated 400 residents gathered in protest on all sides of a busy intersection in Klamath Falls.
Veterans, educators, healthcare providers, students and senior citizens were among the crowd, unified in protest of the current administration led by President Donald Trump and Senior Advisor Elon Musk. Read more from Molly O’Brien at the Herald and News.
Salem: Thousands gather around the state Capitol
Protesters spilled into the surrounding streets and parks, but the main group of protesters was concentrated along Center Street in front of the Capitol, where protesters banged pots and pans, blew horns and chanted into megaphones.
The constant honking from passing vehicles created a raucous scene and many drivers on Center Street raised their fists and waved at protesters.
Alicia Van Driel of Albany and her partner Raudel Perezchica came to Salem for the local Hands Off protest and said they were particularly concerned about the Trump administration’s slashing of social programs and dismantling of the federal government.
“Trump is breaking the law and they are taking over our government and dismantling it. And they’ve sunk the stock market. Elon Musk has no place there. They have taken away our programs that our taxes are paying for,” Van Dreil said. “I knew that Trump was dishonest before he got voted in. I didn’t vote for him, and everybody that has voted for him needs to take a look at what’s really going on.” Read more from Joe Siess at Salem Reporter.
Portland: ‘We’ve been very ready to get out and march’
As the front of the marching crowd neared the middle of the Morrison Bridge around 1:30 p.m. Saturday, a woman in a pink safety vest turned and addressed the protesters.
“Everybody look to your left!” she shouted through a bullhorn. “See how long this march is?”
And she had a point: The column of demonstrators stretched west down the bridge on-ramp onto Southwest Naito Parkway and continued down Naito towards the Japanese American Historical Plaza.
The crowd of thousands — the majority of whom bore signs protesting the Trump administration and the actions of Elon Musk — were gathered in downtown Portland to protest a slew of recent actions by the presidential administration.
Downtown Portland’s “Hands Off!” protest was one of many throughout the state and across the nation as demonstrators voiced their opposition to the Trump administration firing thousands of federal employees, implementing sweeping tariffs and moving to roll back environmental regulations, among other issues. Read more from Tatum Todd at The Oregonian/OregonLive
Hillsboro: U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici joined hundreds of demonstrators
Madras
Madras, the Jefferson County seat with a population just less than 8,000, is far from a hotbed of liberal activism: Donald Trump won the county by 30 points in 2024.
It’s also one of more than a dozen counties east of the Cascades that passed a largely symbolic ordinance in support of moving the Oregon-Idaho borders, arguing that eastern and central Oregon residents have more in common politically and culturally with Idaho than with Portland or the Willamette Valley.
The Madras demonstration attracted Jefferson County residents with years of experience protesting and speaking out politically and newcomers like Cheyenne Dobkins, a Madras resident who scrawled “my tummy hurts and I’m mad at the government” on a poster board she bought from Dollar General.
“I’m tired of being quiet,” Dobkins said. “And I don’t want anyone after all this to ask ‘Why didn’t you say anything?’”
More from around the country – Estimates are more than 5 Million People Rallied
Millions of people attended more than 1,300 similar protests in small towns and big cities across all 50 states, the Hands Off movement announced. Colleagues from States Newsroom, the nation’s largest nonprofit news organization dedicated to state coverage, were on hand covering rallies in many states.
About 8,000 people rallied and marched at the Colorado Capitol in Denver, Colorado Newsline reported. In Tennessee, Sen. Elizabeth Warren fired up a crowd as part of a national Democratic initiative to hold public meetings in red states.
Source New Mexico was on hand for a rally that brought thousands to Santa Fe’s distinctive Capitol building, the Roundhouse. In Alaska, statehouse protesters included a child costumed like a striking New York City newsboys from the musical “Newsies” and a small business owner carrying a sign on a 24-foot pole that said “I’ve had it up to here.”
Thousands gathered in downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the South Dakota Searchlight reported. In Minneapolis, a rally ended with a singalong to the “Les Miserables” anthem “Do You Hear the People Sing?” The Wisconsin Examiner covered protests in Madison, Milwaukee and Green Bay. Maine’s senate president said protesters sent a clear message: “listen to the people.”
In Alabama, a minister at a Montgomery church talked about feeling worried for transgender kids and adults in the congregation who are looking to leave the state. A storm cancelled a planned protest in Little Rock, but northwest Arkansas residents turned out despite the wind and rain. https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/04/05/across-oregon-thousands-join-hands-off-protests-against-trump-musk-and/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJgJ-ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHlEpxktYZnWJjBCQo6DOB7-cevl1A911YvfMBLDPg9YynoQA9sjk5s3Z3th2_aem_AiCZRQCRpoGYXrhJ1wZlWA
BLM Reopens Rogue River Trail
Medford, Oregon – The Bureau of Land Management is re-opening the Rogue River National Recreation Trail after crews created a path around a large landslide. Wildland firefighters from BLM’s Veteran Crew 10, along with BLM recreation staff, were able to clear the landslide and re-route the trail around a large boulder. The crews also removed several downed trees and addressed other issues along the first few miles of the trail.
The trail is rated as difficult due to the remote nature of the trail, tall cliffs, the potential for downed trees, landslides and high water in creeks. Hikers may still encounter smaller landslides, unstable footing, erosion of trail tread, and other storm-related impacts along the trail. If you find damage on BLM lands, please report it to the Medford District Office at 541-618-2200.
“The Rogue River Trail is beautiful this time of year and we worked hard to open it as quickly as possible,” said Justin Kelly, Grants Pass Field Manager. “Please watch out for additional hazards as you enjoy your public lands.”
The Rogue River National Recreation Trail traverses the wild section of the Lower Rogue National Wild and Scenic River along its entire length. Stretching 40 miles between Grave Creek and Big Bend, the trail offers some of southwestern Oregon’s most amazing landscapes and rewarding hiking experiences. Majestic steep canyon walls, cascading waterfalls, and glistening streams are just a glimpse of the magnificent scenery in the Wild Rogue Canyon.
Local Deputy District Attorney Selected as Oregon’s DUII Prosecutor of the Year
Looking to swim or take a boat tour at Crater Lake National Park? This summer is your last chance to do so for a while.
The National Park Service announced that the Cleetwood Cove Trail, the only allowed access to the lakeshore, is undergoing maintenance until summer 2029. The NPS said the project “proposes to rehabilitate the trail and related infrastructure to ensure safe access to the lake, provide needed visitor services, and to protect the environment.
Every year, thousands of park visitors hike this trail to gain access to lakeshore. The Cleetwood Cove Marina is the launch point for the concession-provided boat tours of Crater Lake and the park’s boats. This project proposes to rehabilitate the trail and related infrastructure to ensure safe access to the lake, provide needed visitor services, and to protect the environment. This project will address critical safety issues with the Cleetwood Cove Trail and Marina.
Work proposed includes, rehabilitation of the entire 1.1 mile trail including improvements to trail tread and retaining walls. Rockfall scaling and mitigation along identified high risk zones. Removal and replacement of the failed bulkhead/dock with a structurally stable marina. Replacing the outdated and undersized composting toilets located near the marina.
The planning, design, and compliance are completed for this project. The next step is solicitation of the construction contract. Construction is set to start in 2026, with trail closures planned for the duration of the 2027 and 2028 summer seasons. The NPS says boat tours will not be provided during this time. The renovated trail has a slated reopening of summer 2029.
Fraud Fighter Summit and Resource Fair Set for April 12 in Medford
– The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) and Oregon AARP are hosting the Fraud Fighter Summit and Resource Fair on Saturday, April 12, in Medford.
The free event, which runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., will be at the Smullin Health Education Center, 2825 E. Barnett Road, in Medford. Doors open at 9 a.m. Parking is available on site and a light lunch will be provided.
Joining DFR and AARP will be representatives from the Federal Trade Commission and the Construction Contractors Board, who will provide insights on current scams. Attendees will learn tips on how to protect themselves against fraud.
They will hear from DFR Administrator TK Keen; Oregon AARP State Director Bandana Shrestha; Oregon AARP Director of Advocacy and Outreach Carmel Snyder; Construction Contractors Board Communications and Outreach Coordinator Tori Garcia; Federal Trade Commission Regional Director Chuck Harwood; and Doug Shadel, a national expert, author, and columnist on fraud prevention.
Keen will be speaking about spotting and recovering from scams and steps to follow while working with your insurance company. This information, which will accompany Garcia’s presentation, will provide consumers with tips and resources for scam and fraud avoidance, resources for recovery, and how to report.
“It is important for people to do their due diligence so that they do not become a victim of scams and fraud,” Keen said. “This is especially true when they are in a vulnerable position, including after a natural disaster. Unfortunately, not everyone who rushes in after a flood or fire is there to help.”
If you believe you may have been scammed related to an insurance or financial product or claim, DFR has resources to help you. Consumer advocates are available by calling 1-888-877-4894 (toll-free) or emailing .financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov“>dfr.financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov or .insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov“>dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov. More information is also available at dfr.oregon.gov/help.
Jackson County Gearing up to Welcome Visitors to Emigrant Lake This Summer – lake nearly replenished after several years of low water levels.
Steve Lambert, the Roads and Parks Director for Jackson County, shared exciting updates about the upcoming season, which promises a mix of outdoor recreation, new concessions, and renovated park facilities. The resurgence of the lake will also help the popular non-motorized watercraft rentals, including paddleboards and kayaks, which had struggled during the low-water years.
The county is actively seeking new business partners to provide food, beverage, and non-motorized watercraft rentals, a service that was previously offered when the lake had better water levels. The last concessionaire at Emigrant Lake was successful in offering rentals and lessons for paddleboards, and Lambert is optimistic about finding a new partner to continue this tradition.
In preparation for the influx of visitors, Jackson County has also been working on improving park facilities. New infrastructure, including replacement sidewalks, staircases and a renovated Oak Slope Tent Campground.
Fire codes force Ashland homeless shelter to close, city plans renovations
The building at 2200 Ashland St. was not designed for overnight sleeping, so it doesn’t meet fire codes, meaning it can only be open for 90 days. It opened in January.
That also means that even though 28 people can stay at the shelter overnight, half of them have to be awake.
Sam Engel, CEO of the homeless services nonprofit Rogue Retreat, which has been running the shelter, said this design had some hiccups and was hard for guests to understand.
“But then, simply, we had the opportunity to let 14 people sleep, or we had the opportunity to let 14 people sleep, and 14 other people come in, get warm, have a cup of coffee, a cup of tea, food, and then they could choose to stay or leave,” he said. “And we saw the value in taking advantage of that.”
Engel said preliminary numbers show Rogue Retreat got seven people into stable housing.
Rogue Retreat has been working with local partners to ensure people can receive services elsewhere once the shelter closes Tuesday at 9 a.m.
“People should sleep indoors if they want to, year-round, regardless of the weather conditions,” Engel said. “We’re worried about what people are going to do on the night of April 1 and beyond.”
Ashland has a night lawn where people can camp overnight, as well as the OHRA Center, the only 24/7, year-round shelter in the city, and all 72 of its beds are consistently full, with an ongoing waitlist.
However, the city has set aside money for fire code renovations at 2200 Ashland St. so it can be used as a shelter. The timeline for the project hasn’t been determined.
The building is an approximately 3,000-square-foot commercial use office space and needs additional exits, smoke detectors and a sprinkler system, among other things.
It originally opened as a homeless shelter in fall 2023 when the state was under an emergency order. But last spring, Ashland City Council declined over $2 million in state funding to keep it open. Councilors argued there was no long-term plan for the space.
Since then, the city has struggled to figure out what to do with the building while searching for more shelter options for homeless residents.
Housing Program Specialist Linda Reid said a request for proposals for the renovations has been issued, and the city hopes to get started as soon as possible.
Ashland plans to use Community Development Block Grant funds for the project. Reid said the city has about $112,000 remaining from 2024 and anticipates receiving $105,000 in 2025.
While Reid said that money won’t be enough to address everything the building needs, installing the sprinkler system is the priority.
Meanwhile, Ashland still doesn’t have a shelter for inclement weather, such as smoke or cold.
Emergency Management Coordinator Kelly Burns said the city doesn’t have the money or capacity for that.
“We are potentially going to have a few more nights of cold weather in April,” he said. “We’re asking other community partners, maybe faith-based organizations, anybody that’s a nonprofit that is willing to step up and maybe bridge that gap for us.” (SOURCE)
Sharing for our friends at Salvation Army:
Help Fill Our Food Pantry – Your Donations Make a Difference! 
Most Needed Items:
Canned vegetables & fruits Rice & pasta Peanut butter & jelly Cereal & oatmeal Soup & canned proteins (tuna, chicken, beans)
Drop-off Location: 922 N. Central Avenue Medford, OR 97501
Hours: 9am-3pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Josephine County Public Health Officer Dr. David Candelaria confirmed four cases of rabies in foxes within the past week, an unusual spike for the county that elevates concern.
Dr. Candelaria said that rabies is typically found in bats, which are the reservoir for the virus in Oregon. A nine year old girl was bitten by a rabid fox and received treatment, while another person reported a bite to their shoe, with no exposure.
Dr. Candelaria emphasized that rabies is transmitted through saliva and can only cause infection through broken skin or mucous membrane contact. Rabies presents with severe and alarming symptoms related to its impact on the central nervous system. According to Dr. Candelaria, these symptoms can manifest in two primary ways: aggressively or passively. Common symptoms include fever, hydrophobia (a fear of water), pharyngeal spasms (spasms of the airway), and hyperactivity.
The disease progresses aggressively, ultimately leading to paralysis and death. Dr. Candelaria described it as “an inglorious way to go.” In dealing with wild animals, it is best to always keep a safe distance of at least 25 feet. The Sheriff’s office said the cases originated in the Selma and Cave Junction area. Residents there should be cautious and look out for strange behavior in wildlife. Since foxes are typically nocturnal, seeing one in the daytime out in the open should be cause for alarm.
Medford PoliceSave the date! 
Our Drug Take Back & Rogue Shred Event takes place on 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟵 𝗔𝗠 – 𝟭𝟮 𝗣𝗠 at the City Hall parking lot.
Drop off your unused, outdated and unwanted prescription drugs (no needles or any kind of inhalers). Please ensure that there are no leaking bottles and that the tops are on securely.
Got paper? Bring personal and confidential documents you would like to have shredded. Shred items are limited to the equivalent of three garbage bags full of items to be shredded.
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
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
Red Cross Provides Flood Relief Services in Harney County
Our hearts go out to all Harney County residents who continue to deal with the effects of widespread flooding and who are bracing for the potential for more flooding. The American Red Cross wants to make sure that no one faces this heartbreaking crisis alone. Below are the ways we are supporting this disaster relief response.
SERVICES: The Red Cross has a shelter set up at the Harney County Fairgrounds at 69660 S. Egan Rd., Burns. We are providing services to residents inside the shelter and to people who come in RVs and park outside the shelter. So far, we’ve provided 86 overnight stays and continue to staff the shelter 24/7.
We have the capacity for 50 people inside and 60 outside and still have room for those who need to come.
Everyone is welcome and you do NOT have to stay in our shelters to receive our services. Anyone who needs support services, information, or a warm meal can stop by the Harney County Fairgrounds or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
We have opened a site to distribute clean up kits at 320 Snow Mountain Lane, Hines OR. We will be there daily from 9am to 4pm.
Cleanup kits that include:
- One mop
- One squeegee
- Two brooms, different sizes
- Two handles to use with mop/brooms/squeegee
- One scrub brush
- One sponge
- One mask
- One pair leather work gloves
- One pair blue nitrile gloves
- Three heavy-duty trash bags
- One quart bottle highly concentrated Bully II hard surface cleaner/degreaser
HOW YOU CAN HELP: The best way to support the work we are doing is by making a financial contribution. You can do so by going to www.RedCross.org/Cascades or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross cannot accept clothing, items or home cooked food.
Interested in volunteering? Join us! Go to www.RedCross.org/volunteer and sign up.
About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood and provides blood to 65 regional hospitals; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on social media at @RedCrossCascades. — American Red Cross – Cascades Region
Oregon Employment Department Fixing Tax Document Problem — A mistake by the Oregon Employment Department means up to 12-thousand people who received unemployment last year might need to file updated tax forms.
The problem happened during the switch from the old computer system to Frances Online. Incorrect 1099-G forms were sent to some people who received unemployment benefits last year.
The Oregon Employment Department reports a review of approximately 12,000 tax forms containing inaccurate information is complete. Those 1099-G tax forms were sent out to people who received unemployment benefits in 2024 and were to be used in state and federal tax returns. OED said the errors impacted about five percent of all the 1099-G forms issued by the department.
“We’ve had more than 100 OED staff working through an intensive process of validating and reissuing forms in order to complete this work,” said OED Director David Gerstenfeld. “I appreciate all of the staff who are working on this for impacted Oregonians. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused some of our customers.”
The department is going through a process to identify all errors, validate tax forms and contact affected customers. The Oregon Employment Department has details on its website: https://www.oregon.gov/employ/NewsAndMedia/Press%20Releases%20Archives/2025-03-27-Errors-to-Unemployment-Insurance-Tax-Forms.pdf
Oregon AG Rayfield will host town halls about federal oversight in Eugene, Portland, Bend
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield plans to travel the state throughout the spring and summer hosting town halls about federal oversight, his office announced Tuesday.
Rayfield has sued the Trump administration at least 10 times since taking office, including a lawsuit filed Tuesday against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for abruptly stopping $12 billion in public health grants to states.
“In my first three months in office, we’ve established clear priorities: challenging federal overreach, fighting back against corporate greed, and standing up for veterans, students, and working families,” Rayfield said in a statement. “These forums will create an ongoing dialogue with Oregonians about federal accountability and how we’re working to protect their rights.”
He also has joined Democratic members of Oregon’s congressional delegation and Legislature at their own town halls. In March, he traveled to Arizona to gather stories with three other Democratic attorneys general at a town hall in Phoenix.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes will join Rayfield at his second planned forum, on his 100th day in office on April 10. They’ll participate in an event at 6 p.m. in Portland, at a yet-to-be-announced location.
House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, will join Rayfield at 6:30 p.m. April 9 at the University of Oregon’s Prince Lucien Campbell building.
And he’ll host a meeting at 10 a.m. in Bend on May 3, with no location announced yet. Rayfield plans to host additional meetings throughout the summer, according to the Department of Justice.
Oregon AG Joins Effort to Block Trump’s SAVE Act as New Voter Rules Risk Minority Rights and Decades of Progress
Despite studies that show that only 0.0001% of votes cast in areas with high immigration populations are by non-citizens, the Trump administration is changing the SAVE Act which will pose onerous burdens on voters to prove their eligibility.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield has joined a coalition of 17 AGs who oppose H.R. 22 – the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE Act – arguing that the proposed legislation will add unnecessary and complicated hurdles for millions currently eligible to vote.
Writing to House Speaker Michael Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the coalition warns that the change in legislation requiring proof of citizenship before registering to vote will create unnecessary obstacles. The legislation will mainly affect minority and low-income communities.
The SAVE Act will amend the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) by requiring voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship before registering to vote.
The coalition believes the requirement will reverse 30 years of progress made under the NVRA. The NVRA was designed to remove barriers to voter registration and promote greater participation in the democratic process.
The coalition says providing proof of citizenship in the form of a passport or birth certificate is an expensive exercise, further complicated by the fact that names appearing on the documents must be a perfect match.
The AGs point out that more than 21 million voting-age citizens do not have a passport, birth, or naturalization record. Furthermore, 80% of married women have chosen to adopt their partner’s last name, so will not have a valid birth certificate under the SAVE Act.
The coalition is also opposing in-person presentation of citizenship documentation, effectively eliminating online voter registration in use in 42 states. The AGs also believe that the legislation will jeopardize active-duty servicemen.
In a news release from the Oregon Department of Justice, AG Rayfield says that the integrity of elections can still be protected while ensuring that every legitimate voter has the equal right to cast a ballot ‘without obstacles or discrimination.’
A public hearing by the Senate Committee on Rules held on Monday to discuss a Bill that will revert Oregon to in-person voting was opposed by 81% of respondents who submitted written testimony, according to information obtained by a news source. Now will go to voters.
Known as SB 210 , the bill would end mail-in voting, require voter ID and ensure in-person voting on Election Day in the state of Oregon. According to information, 81% of the written testimony was against the bill, with 19% in favor.
Oregon voters would be asked to reconsider vote-by-mail under a bill in the Legislature. If voters approved it, voting would have to be in-person with state issued photo identification.
Voters could request a ballot in the mail 21 days in advance for each election, with photo identification. Postage would no longer be paid by the state. More than nine-thousand comments were received online. 81 percent of the comments opposed the bill and nine percent were in support.
Oregon Lawmakers Push Food for All Program as Hunger Hits Great Depression Levels and 62,000 Lose SNAP Benefits
In the face of new information from the Oregon Food Bank that shows hunger in the state is at its worst level since the Great Depression, a group of lawmakers want to establish a Food for All Oregonians program.
If the bill is enacted, food distribution will begin in the New Year to feed more than 62,000 Oregonians who are no longer eligible for federal SNAP benefits because of their immigration status. The Department of Human Services (DHS) will manage the program.
Presently, Green Card holders only become eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) after a waiting period of five years, subject to meeting certain criteria. The proposed program will feed people under 26 and older than 55 – the age groups identified as most needing assistance.
According to the latest hunger report by the Oregon Food Bank (OFB), 2.5 million people visited food distribution centers last year, representing a 31% increase compared to 2023.
The food bank says that historic inequities and systemic exclusions have created a scenario in which Black, and Indigenous Colored communities, refugees, immigrants, caregivers, single mothers, and trans and gender expansive communities are up to three times more likely to face poverty and hunger.
‘Today, 1 in 8 people and 1 in 6 kids in Oregon and Southwest Washington face food insecurity — from Ontario to Portland to Clark County,’ states the report, pointing out that food is a basic human right.
A public hearing to discuss the bill raised some opposition from people who said that they do not want their tax dollars spent on ‘non-citizens.’
If the Food for All Oregonians program is passed, an advisory group will be formed between the DHS and the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement.
ODHS issued $2.35 million in grants to improve emergency services for long-term care residents
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) issued four grants totaling $2.35 million to fund local pilot projects that provide innovative strategies to address the emergency medical services needs of older adults who live in long-term care facilities.
The grants are part of the Senior Emergency Medical Services Innovation Program, which was created when Oregon House Bill 2397 passed in 2021. Funding for the grants started in January 2025 and will continue through December 2026.
The four grant recipients are:
- Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue (TVF&R), which was awarded $758,000 to fund an Advanced Resource Medic (ARM) unit. This unit will be staffed with advanced practice paramedics and physician assistants who can respond to emergency calls from licensed facilities and provide the care needed to reduce unnecessary hospital visits for residents. TVF&R responds to about 45,000 emergency medical services calls a year and 14 percent of those are in care facilities.
- Eugene-Springfield Fire, which was awarded $1,233,000 to fund a Community Aid Response Unit. This team will respond to residents of licensed long-term care facilities and is equipped to stay on scene to provide services that take longer than a typical emergency response. This unit will also provide risk evaluation and education services to facilities.
- City of Lake Oswego, which was awarded $288,000 to fund Risk Reduction and Prevention and Education Programs for older adults in the community. The city fire department will hire a risk reduction specialist and will partner with licensed long-term care facilities to develop emergency plans. Lake Oswego will also work toward developing a master emergency plan that care facilities across the state can build from in preparing their own plans.
- City of Albany, which was awarded $68,500 to fund a Care Facility Response Safety Program to train facility staff on using lifting devices and responding to falls.
The Senior Emergency Medical Services Innovation Program is within the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities (APD). In addition to funding pilot projects, its work is focused on promoting quality emergency medical services for older adults while also ensuring efficiency and encouraging community-based responses to challenges.
“Each of these pilot projects represents a step forward for our state as we look to meet the needs of older adults and use community emergency response resources effectively,” said Nakeshia Knight-Coyle, Ph.D., Director of the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities, which administers the Senior Emergency Medical Services Innovation Program.
The grants issued were awarded through a competitive Request for Proposal process managed through OregonBuys. Funding for the pilot project grants is provided through APD’s Quality Care Fund.
Time is running out: Tax Day is almost here
But with just days before taxes are due, April 15, more than 1 million Oregonians have yet to submit their tax year 2024 returns.
“Taxpayers are slightly ahead of the pace from 2023, the most recent non-kicker year. We still expect to see a rush of returns as we get closer to Tax Day,” said Megan Denison, Personal Tax and Compliance Division administrator with the Oregon Department of Revenue.
“Our best advice for taxpayers is to get their returns in as soon as possible.”
In addition, to filing sooner rather than later, the department offers the following information for taxpayers who still need to file their state return.
File electronically – E-filing is the fastest way for taxpayers to get their tax refund. On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund sooner than those who file paper returns and request paper refund checks. Taxpayers should file just once. Sending a paper return through the mail after e-filing will a delay a refund.
Free filing options – Revenue provides several options for taxpayers to e-file their returns for free. Oregon Free Fillable Forms performs basic calculations and is ideal for taxpayers who don’t need help preparing their returns and want the convenience of filing electronically. The IRS offers a similar option for filing federal taxes electronically.
New this year, taxpayers can file their federal return directly with the IRS using IRS Direct File and their Oregon return directly with the state through Direct File Oregon for free. Videos are available to show how to use IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon.
Information about all available free tax preparation software options is available on the Revenue website, along with a list of organizations providing free assistance.
Where’s my refund? tool and video – Revenue has issued nearly 850,000 refunds already this year, most within two weeks of filing. Taxpayers wondering about the refund on their tax year 2024 return, can use the Oregon Department of Revenue’s Where’s My Refund? tool to check its status and, if they want more information, watch a video outlining the refund timelines to better understand the process.
Filing an extension – Individuals who are not able to file by April 15, 2025 can file an extension directly with the Oregon Department of Revenue or with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If the IRS extension is granted, the Oregon extension is automatically granted. A timely filed extension moves the federal tax filing deadline and the Oregon filing deadline to October 15, 2025.
Only request an Oregon extension if you:
- Don’t have a federal extension.
- Owe Oregon taxes.
- Can’t file your return by April 15, 2025.
Remember that having a filing extension is not an extension to pay any tax owed. Taxpayers who can’t pay the full amount they owe, should pay what they can to avoid late payment penalties.
Visit www.oregon.gov/dor to get tax forms, see a list of approved tax preparation software products, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments. For questions not answered on our website, call 800-356-4222 toll-free (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 or email questions.dor@dor.oregon.gov. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), we accept all relay calls. Due to the number of calls Revenue receives during tax season, you may experience extended wait times.
Even as April 15 Tax Day approaches – if you don’t owe, you have more time to file to get your refund
Salem, Ore. – Here comes the April 15, 2025 deadline to file your taxes — but wait, there’s good news. If you don’t owe any taxes, you have three years to file your tax return without any penalty and still get your refund. Plus, thanks to the Oregon Department of Human Services Tax Infrastructure Grant Program, there are many places to get free help in filing your taxes.
For many people, particularly those with lower incomes or who work part-time or seasonally, a refund is due thanks to withholding and refundable tax credits.
But why wait three years if you are due a tax refund? Don’t let the April 15 deadline stop you from getting your tax return this year. It may be too late to find an appointment before April 15, but many free tax filing places take some time off after April 15 and then start up again in May and work through October 15.
Also, it is fairly common to get a letter two or three months after filing your taxes from the Oregon Department of Revenue or the Internal Revenue Service asking for more information. The free tax filing services can help you respond to the letter including translating into other languages if needed.
Learn more about credits, deadlines and where to find free help: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/Pages/tax-help.aspx
The Tax Infrastructure Grant Program funds culturally relevant or culturally specific organizations, Tribal governments and rural community organizations to help educate and provide free tax filing help for people with low incomes. Help is available in multiple languages. The grant money is also used to increase the number of certified tax preparers in Oregon.
Where to get free help filing taxes
- 211Info: Call 2-1-1 or email help@211info.org for a list of all the free tax filing help.
- Oregon State University; vita@oregonstate.edu; 541-737-3371; Corvallis, Bend, Eugene OSU VITA website: https://business.oregonstate.edu/volunteer-income-tax-assistance
- Western Oregon University; wouvita@wou.edu; 503-751-4132; Monmouth, Independence, Falls City; WOU VITA website: https://wou.edu/business-economics/volunteer-income-tax-assistance-vita/.
- CASH Oregon: info@Cashoregon.org; 503-243-7765; Portland, Beaverton, Gresham
- Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO); TAX@irco.org; 971-427-3993; Portland, Ontario
- Centro de Servicios Para Campesinos; biec@Centrodspc.org“>debbiec@Centrodspc.org; 503-982-0243; Woodburn
- Latino Community Association; info@latinocommunityassociation.org;
541-382-4366; Bend, Redmond
- Moneywise Oregon; dan@moneywiseoregon.org; 541-670-5054; Coos Bay, Roseburg
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/_/
The Oregon House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill on Thursday to change the eviction process of squatters by homeowners.
House Bill 3522 allows the removal of squatters using the standard eviction process, known in Oregon as Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED), without any proof of forced entry or an existing landlord-tenant relationship. If the bill passes, a lease doesn’t need to be in place for homeowners to follow the standard eviction process.
“Our homes are our citadels and we need to protect what is rightfully ours,” Rep. Boomer Wright, a Republican representing Coos Bay and the chief co-sponsor of the bill, said in a statement.
Without HB 3522, state law requires property owners to take civil legal action against the squatter in a process known as ejectment, which chief co-sponsor Rep. Hai Pham said “costs individual homeowners thousands of dollars in costs and often takes months to process.”
“We need to give immediate relief to property owners and more tools to remove unauthorized occupants,” Pham, a Democrat representing South Hillsboro and West Beaverton, said. The bill is now moving to the Senate for consideration.
Seeking public comment on proposed changes to day-use parking permits
SALEM, Oregon—Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is seeking public comment on a proposal to expand the 25% out-of-state camping surcharge to parking permit fees and eliminate the two-year parking permit.
The out-of-state camping surcharge was enacted by state law in 2022 for RV campsites, and OPRD expanded it to all site types for out-of-state campers for stays beginning July 1, 2025.
The proposed rule change would add the 25% out-of-state surcharge to parking permit fees. Based on current rates, out-of-state visitors would pay $12.50 per day or $37.50 for an annual parking permit. If approved, the change would begin July 1, 2025.
Oregon residents would continue to pay the same parking permit rate of $10 per day or $30 for an annual permit.
The proposed rule change would also eliminate the sales of 24-month parking permits starting in 2026. Existing permits would be honored until they expire. The 12-month annual permit will continue to be sold.
These changes would help parks more consistently implement the surcharge as well as track annual revenue and budgets for parks in the future. It’s part of an ongoing effort to help keep pace with rising costs while continuing to provide exceptional outdoor experiences.
Public comments on the proposed rule change will be accepted through 5 p.m. April 30, 2025:
- Online: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/pages/PRP-rulemaking.aspx
- Mail: OPRD Department, attn: Katie Gauthier, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301
- Email: D.Publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov“>OPRD.Publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov
A public hearing will also be held 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 2025:
- Register to attend the virtual hearing at: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__1Zw_JurTy-PYpxWhGra2w#/registration
Once the public comment period ends, the proposal with any incorporated updates is slated to go to Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission in June for possible adoption.
With the belt tightening of the federal government, according to the Oregon Health Authority, every county in Oregon and all nine federally-recognized tribal communities will feel the $117 million in funding cuts for OHA programs from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The OHA says the funding is being pulled through the Center for Disease Control and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Some of the COVID-era funding and grants were supposed to continue for another year or more.
The OHA says grants to support vaccine-preventable disease work as well as five grants that helped establish the 988 crisis line and were intended to aid in community substance use treatment, prevention, and recovery are among the programs experiencing a loss of funding in Oregon.
Nationwide, over $11 billion of pandemic-response funds are being pulled back by the CDC.
Registration Now Open for the Annual Oregon Spring Cleanup
– Registration is live for the annual Oregon Spring Cleanup presented by Portland General Electric! With over 100 events already posted on the SOLVE website, now is the time to get involved. Litter cleanups and habitat restoration projects span Portland and SW Washington, the entire Oregon Coast from Astoria to Brookings, the Willamette National Forest, Southern Oregon—including Medford—and all the way to Baker City in Eastern Oregon.
The Oregon Spring Cleanup, celebrating Earth Month, takes place from April 12 to 22, 2025, culminating on Saturday, April 19. Individuals, families, community and corporate groups are encouraged to participate in this collective effort to keep our region clean and beautiful. Volunteers can sign up for existing projects or host their own events with support from SOLVE.
Longtime community partner, Portland General Electric continues to champion environmental volunteerism through SOLVE. As part of PGE’s commitment to environmental stewardship, they partner with SOLVE to bring communities together to provide clean and healthy environments for all.
“Earth Month is great reminder to take action and continue to enhance our communities,” said PGE’s vice president of policy and resource planning, Kristen Sheeran. “This Earth Month, we’re ready to roll up our sleeves with SOLVE and all of the volunteer partners to make a lasting impact on Oregon’s natural spaces.”
How to Get Involved
- Sign up: Find a volunteer event near you and register yourself or a group at volunteer.solveoregon.org/
- Lead your own event: SOLVE provides all the necessary resources, including supplies and disposal funds, to make hosting a project easy for you.
- Join the challenge: Rally your school, company, or community group to take part in the Trash Bag Challenge. Participants challenge others to either join an existing SOLVE cleanup or lead their own, sparking friendly competition and community pride – solveoregon.org/challenge
Supply Hubs: Making Coastal Cleanups More Sustainable
At SOLVE, we make it easy to lead a cleanup event. This year, new coastal supply hubs provide an additional way to access event materials, making it even easier to host litter cleanups along the Oregon Coast.
Through a partnership with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and generous support from Knife River, SOLVE has established seven supply hubs along the Oregon Coast. These hubs—located at Cape Lookout, Fort Stevens, Port Orford Heads, South Beach, and Sunset Bay within OPRD parks, along with Heart of Cartm in Nehalem and Washed Ashore in Bandon—are stocked with supplies to support cleanups of up to 20 volunteers, reducing the shipment of single-use plastics to these areas.
Join the Trash Bag Challenge
New this year, SOLVE is also launching the Trash Bag Challenge, inviting schools, businesses, community groups, and organizations to challenge others to either join an existing cleanup or lead their own. This initiative is designed to spark friendly competition and community pride while making a tangible difference in local areas.
The Oregon Spring Cleanup 2025 is made possible by the generous support of Portland General Electric and other event sponsors, including AAA, CareOregon, Clean Water Services, Fred Meyer, Holman Enterprises, KOIN 6, The Oregonian, Lam Research Corporation, Metro, Lithia Driveway, Intel, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Swire Coca-Cola, The Standard, and PepsiCo.
For more information and to sign up, visit www.solveoregon.org/oregon-spring and be part of the collective effort to create a cleaner, greener Oregon.
About SOLVE
SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots initiative to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon, and SW Washington, to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, while empowering a community of environmental stewards for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information.
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 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.
Every year, the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony honors the state’s law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.
This year’s ceremony will be held Tuesday, May 6th at 1 p.m. at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem.
The annual event commemorates the more than 190 fallen officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the state of Oregon since the 1860s. This includes law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation officers from city, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies.
The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training is proud to host the ceremony in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and various statewide law enforcement associations.
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.
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