Rogue Valley News, Friday 4/11 – Medford Pear Blossom Festival Kicks Off Today! Southern Oregon Head Start Centers Receives Frozen Funds from Last Quarter But Future Uncertain & Other Local and Statewide News

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

Friday,  April 11, 2025

Rogue Valley Weather

US National Weather Service Medford Oregon 

Keep an eye on this weekend as there will be a chance for frost/freeze. While only a few cities fit on these graphics, you can always go to weather.gov/mfr to get the latest forecast information for a specific city.

The 72nd annual Medford Pear Blossom Festival kicks off Today!

This longstanding Rogue Valley tradition features a multitude of events, including the parade, street fair, tournaments, and more! For event details and street closures https://www.medfordoregon.gov/…/72nd-Annual-Pear…

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝘂𝗽! With the Pear Blossom Festival this weekend, be aware of no parking signs posted in Downtown Medford. We don’t want to see anyone’s cars towed while you’re enjoying the festivities.Full list of road closures: https://www.medfordoregon.gov/…/2025-pear-blossom-road…

 

 

UPDATE: After weeks of getting by on only state funds, Southern Oregon Head Start will be receiving its federal funds for the quarter, but there are still some uncertainties with the organization’s future

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden made a statement in regard to Southern Oregon Head Start. Wyden said,

“I’m glad our office’s work with Southern Oregon Head Start has helped restore the federal investments so children can continue learning from the Head Start heroes who are so dedicated to teaching and supporting them,” Wyden said. “This funding shutoff in Southern Oregon was an unfortunate and unsurprising product of the illegal and chaotic freezes by Donald Trump, Elon Musk and their DOGE thugs that should never have happened. I’ll keep watchdogging this funding flow to make sure Southern Oregon Head Start isn’t victimized again by these destructive stunts conjured up by the White House.”

Southern Oregon Head Start Centers Facing Shut Downs  —

First Reported:   Southern Oregon Head Start is preparing to shut down half of its operations this Friday and faces a complete closure by April 18 unless frozen federal funds are released. This crisis threatens to more than 900 children without critical services and impacts 367 staff members.

According to staff roughly half of the organization’s services will cease on Friday. And if the quarterly federal funds are not disbursed by the following Friday, April 18, the entire Head Start program serving Jackson County will be forced to shut its doors completely.

Southern Oregon Head Start has been operating solely on state funds for several weeks, but those resources are now exhausted, making the arrival of the expected federal payment critical for survival.

 URGENT: Southern Oregon Head Start Centers Are Facing Shut Downs – We Need Your Voice NOW 

Hundreds of children in Jackson and Josephine Counties are about to lose their Head Start program due to a failure in federal funding and exhausted state funds. Families are scrambling. Teachers are being let go. Kids are being left behind.

This is an EMERGENCY. We need our elected officials to act immediately—and they need to hear from YOU.

What can you do?

CONTACT your representatives (it only takes 2 minutes!):

• Rep. Cliff Bentz: (541) 776-4646 – https://bentz.house.gov

• Sen. Ron Wyden: (503) 326-7525 – https://wyden.senate.gov

• Sen. Jeff Merkley: (503) 326-3386 – https://merkley.senate.gov

• Rep. Pam Marsh (Jackson Co): (503) 986-1405 – Rep.PamMarsh@oregonlegislature.gov

• Rep. Dwayne Yunker (Josephine Co): (503) 986-1403 – Rep.DwayneYunker@oregonlegislature.gov

 

Use this quick script when calling or emailing:

“Hi, my name is [your name], and I live in [your city/county]. I’m calling because Southern Oregon Head Start is shutting down due to lack of funding, and hundreds of families and children are being left without services. We need your immediate help to secure emergency funding so our centers can finish the school year. Please take action now—we’re counting on you.”

 

Last Friday Klamath Family Head Start reassured families with a letter that regional office changes have not disrupted their current grant funding or services in Klamath and Lake counties for this year.

 

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.

Confirmed Rabies Cases in Josephine County 

 

INCIDENT: Rabies in Josephine County

 

REPORTING DEPUTY: Animal Control Supervisor, Tyler Audisio

 

Recovery Of 4 Stolen Motor Vehicles Resulting In Arrests

Josephine County Search & Rescue

Welcome to all of our newly sworn in SAR members. They have successfully completed the SAR Academy and completed requirements of the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association. Help us give them a warm welcome.

Apprehension of Wanted Subject 

Join us on April 25th at the Robertson bridge around 7pm to cheer along 8 men rafting the entire Rogue River at a record setting pace. They aim to row the 157 miles in about 36 hours, straight and through the night, to raise funds for William – a Southern Oregon 6-year old boy diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

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.

 

 

 

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.

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

Every can, box, and bag of food makes a difference in someone’s life. Let’s come together to fight hunger—because no one should go to bed hungry.

.

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.

This is a free event!

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

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) is asking  for help identifying the owner a motorhome.  It could be associated with a missing person from the Prospect area. JCSO says 68-year-old Deenah Padgett has been missing since August 30 from Prospect, described as a white woman, 4’ 8” tall, weighing approximately 95 pounds with brownish red/greying hair. JCSO issued an advisory this weekend asking anyone with information about the owner of the pictured motor home or Padgett’s whereabouts to call Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO) dispatch non-emergency phone number at 541-776-7206.

Did you get help from FEMA, insurance, or others after the 2020 Almeda and South Obenchain Fires?

You can schedule an appointment directly with our Intake Specialists through our website  https://firebrandcollective.org/harp/

Visita la página de HARP en nuestro sitio web para pedir cita hoy mismo.

 firebrandcollective.org/harp/

 

Rogue Valley Humane Society  · Donations Always Needed to Help Community

 

Our Community Food Bank exists to help folks who need an extra helping hand during a difficult month to feed their pets. Our program has a limited budget and so we rely on generous members of our community to donate some of these goods to continue to help assist our community.

 

In 2023 we fed an average of 700 pets a month! This equates to approximately 70 – 40lb bags of food each month!  Many pets have benefited from the community’s generosity, and we can’t thank you enough for your kindness.

 

 

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

Here One Minute, Gone the Next —– PART 2 – Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel joins investigative journalist Alex Rogue to speak with Here One Minute, Gone the Next about the disappearance of Fauna Frey, the growing friction between citizen investigators and law enforcement, and the lack of resources in missing persons cases. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disappearance-of-fauna-frey-pt2-feat-sheriff/id1707094441?i=1000630100040 PART 1 – John Frey joins Newsweek to discuss exclusive details about the case of his missing daughter that until now have been unavailable to the general public. READ MORE HERE: https://www.newsweek.com/exclusive-what-happened-fauna-frey-new-clues-uncovered-1827197?fbclid=IwAR3Z3Glru5lIgqiYXbs_nA1Fj8JuCIzM11OHSVHfwIucfq2f_G5y9y5bnmQ If you have any information on the whereabouts of Fauna Frey, call the anonymous tip line at 541-539-5638 or email FindFaunaFrey@gmail.com.   —-     Help Find Fauna Frey #FindFaunaFrey FACEBOOK GROUP  

International Students at 3 Oregon Universities Have Visas Revoked in Federal Crackdown

Officials at other public and private universities across the state say they’re monitoring the situation.

Nineteen international students attending Oregon’s three largest universities have had their visas revoked by the Department of Homeland Security, according to university officials.

They include 13 students from Oregon State University, four from University of Oregon, and two at Portland State University. In addition, one recent PSU graduate has lost visa eligibility, according to university officials.

Portland State University President Ann Cudd called the situation “deeply troubling.”

“International students are vital contributors to Portland State’s campus life and have been for decades,” Cudd shared in a Thursday afternoon message.

“We will continue to support international students and protect their ability to study here.”

According to KLCC, visas for the four UO students were revoked based on “unspecified criminal charges.” KLCC reports UO is providing guidance to students on how to proceed.

Hundreds of student visas have been revoked nationally from over 100 colleges and universities as the Trump administration targets higher education and its constituents. An Inside Higher Ed map shows colleges across the country have been affected, with federal officials investigating several students for activism efforts or criminal charges.

On Thursday, a group of 86 universities signed on to an amicus brief from the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration in support of American Association of University Professors v. Rubio, a lawsuit against the federal government’s arrests and deportations of students based on their political views. Oregon State, Reed College, Western Oregon University and Eastern Oregon University all signed in support.

Lewis & Clark College, Reed College and University of Portland are among private colleges in Oregon with significant international student numbers. Officials at the Lewis & Clark and Reed colleges say they have not had any student visas revoked, but that they are monitoring the situation.

“We continue to provide support to international students, recognizing the impact of the current political climate on their physical and mental wellbeing,” said Reed chief communications officer Sheena McFarland in an email to OPB.

Citing student privacy protections, University of Portland, who has 139 international students enrolled this semester, declined to provide information about whether any students have been affected.

At Lewis & Clark College in Portland, international undergraduate students make up 7.4% of the student population, coming to the school from 83 countries. Officials there report that none of their 158 international students have had any visas canceled, though students are concerned due to national reports.

“A number of Lewis & Clark students remained on campus during spring break rather than leave the country and risk not being able to return,” Lewis & Clark officials said in an email. (SOURCE)

America 250 Oregon Commission Encourages Participation in Two Lights for Tomorrow – Oregon Historical Society 

— On the night of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and others rode to Lexington, Massachusetts, warning minutemen and households about the approach of British forces. Behind him, lanterns in the steeple of the Old North Church were shining the agreed upon code made famous by poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “One if by land, and two if by sea.” The next day, April 19, were the battles of Lexington and Concord — and the colonists were well prepared.

As part of the nationwide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the America 250 Oregon Commission joins semiquincentennial commissions across the country in Two Lights for Tomorrow, a multi-state initiative that reminds citizens everywhere that our shared history is grounded in coming together to build a more perfect union.

Oregonians are called to participate by shining two lights on April 18, 2025, in their homes and community spaces.

“The America 250 Oregon Commission hopes that communities across the state will join us in Two Lights for Tomorrow to kick off the semiquincentennial commemorations,” said Kerry Tymchuk, Executive Director of the Oregon Historical Society and Chairman of the America 250 Oregon Commission. “Any kind of light can be used in any size building, be it a home, office, museum, community center, or government building. Using the imagery of shining lights as a uniting call to action, Two Lights for Tomorrow reminds us of the importance of working together for a promising future.”

If you or your organization is interested in getting involved with the America 250 Oregon commemoration, please contact egon.250@ohs.org“>oregon.250@ohs.org or sign up for the official America 250 Oregon email list.

About the America 250 Oregon Commission – The mission of the America 250 Oregon Commission is to coordinate, provide guidance, and ensure that Oregon’s official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is inclusive and shares the histories of Oregon’s diverse populations, including the histories of the Indigenous peoples who have resided here since time immemorial. Learn more at oregon250.org.

Another Missing Woman in Oregon Who’s Car Has Been Found But She is Still Missing

Search and rescue teams are looking for a 29-year-old Klamath Falls woman reported missing out of Harney County last week. The Harney County Sheriff’s Office says Kaylee Birt was last seen leaving The Fields Station in Fields, Oregon around 8:30 a.m. on Friday.

Reports indicate Kaylee was on a trip from Klamath Falls headed to Iowa, driving a golden colored 2008 Chevy Malibu with Oregon whale license plate #GW21073.

According to an update from the sheriff’s office, her car was found in a remote part of Harney County on Sunday, but she has not yet been located.

Search efforts are resuming Monday morning with the assistance of Lake County Search & Rescue, local ranchers on horseback, side-by-sides and four wheelers, as well as Oregon State Police and Grant County Search & Rescue with K-9s.  

Kaylee is described as 5 feet 2 inches and 120 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. She has green and brown glasses and was last seen wearing a long-sleeve green shirt and white sweatpants with a Christmas tree design on them. She has a tattoo on her right wrist of a lighthouse and another one on her foot of a Christian fish and cross with Romans 8:31 Bible verse.

Anyone who has seen Kaylee or knows where she might be is asked to call 911 or contact the Harney County Sheriff’s Office at 541-573-6156.

There are a string of these cases in Oregon where the missing women’s vehicles are found, but they are still missing to this day.

Oregon GOP chair resigns after ‘deeply troubling’ revelations

The newly minted chair of the Oregon Republican Party stepped down Wednesday, amid revelations of ongoing personal financial woes and troubling allegations from a 16-year-old divorce.

Jerry Cummings, a pastor from Columbia County, said in a letter to party members Wednesday that the negative publicity from those matters would undercut his ability to help his party win back ground in the state.

“My position as chairman is not more important than my position as a dad,” Cummings wrote. “Given the choice between resuming a heated battle of mudslinging with the mother of my children in order to ‘hold on to the gavel’ or stepping down from party leadership to protect my children: that’s not even a hard call.”

The quick fall from party influence comes less than two months into Cummings’s tenure atop the Oregon GOP. It follows a story from the Oregon Journalism Project on Tuesday that detailed a litany of court proceedings that cast him in a negative light.

One of those is a 2009 divorce case that contains allegations Cummings’ ex-wife used to obtain a restraining order against him. They include claims of sexual violence, among other things.

Cummings has denied the allegations and wrote Wednesday that he has been “on record defending against these things for a decade and a half.” Court records show he was never charged with a crime based on his ex-wife’s account.

More recent legal troubles involve two 2024 civil filings that call Cummings’ fiscal responsibility into question. One case suggests he deposited invalid checks at OnPoint Community Credit Union, then withdrew more than $17,000 that didn’t actually exist. The other accuses Cummings of taking out $93,000 in business loans that he failed to make payments on.

The financial cases present a significant concern for a person at the helm of a political party. Cummings’ responsibilities as GOP chair included fundraising, and donors were unlikely to trust him with their checks after the lawsuits came to light.

With his departure, Oregon GOP Vice Chair Connie Whelchel has been elevated to the role of chair. In a statement, Whelchel called the new information about Cummings “deeply troubling.”

“These revelations were not known to the Executive Committee or Party leadership prior to their publication, and they are in no way reflective of the values or standards we hold,” said Whelchel, who lives in Deschutes County. “While these developments are deeply unfortunate, they will not derail our mission.”

The state GOP has churned through party leaders in the last five years, and Cummings’ resignation comes with a familiar twist: He blames his demise on fellow party members.

“I can’t honestly say that stepping down as chairman will be what is best for the party as it may embolden enemies from within and without to keep doing this to us,” Cummings wrote. “It was a Republican who called [reporter Nigel] Jaquiss with the story.”

Whelchel is now the sixth person to helm the Oregon GOP since 2021. That year, then-state Sen. Dallas Heard won election to the role, toppling long-time chair Bill Currier.

But Heard’s time as chair was short-lived. A year into his term, he stepped down, complaining of “communist psychological warfare tactics” within the party.

In Heard’s place, party vice-chair Herman Baertschiger assumed the leadership role, but he stepped away after roughly three months. That elevated Justin Hwang, who was the GOP’s vice-chair under Baertschiger.

Hwang became the party’s first-ever Korean American leader, and offered a measure of stability. He decided against running for re-election at the last minute this year, following an election where Republicans gave up supermajorities in the Oregon House and Senate and lost a congressional seat in the state.

Cummings won election to the chair role in February, in a competitive race that also featured current party secretary, Jo Rae Perkins; Gabriel Buehler, chair of the Washington County GOP; Angelita Sanchez, a city councilor in Sweet Home; and Ben Edtl, a recent state House candidate. (SOURCE)

Oregon Delegation Urges Reversal of Cuts, Planned Layoffs at Social Security That Hurt State’s Seniors

Letter from Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Hoyle, Salinas, Bynum, Dexter cites disastrous decisions in Social Security field offices in Warrenton, La Grande and The Dalles

Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today led his Democratic colleagues in the Oregon delegation – Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Janelle Bynum (OR-05) and Maxine Dexter (OR-03) – in urging the Social Security Administration to reverse its severe layoffs and threats of worse to come for services to the state’s seniors and people with disabilities.

In their letter to the Social Security Administration’s Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek, the Oregon lawmakers cited agency data showing staff in the Warrenton and La Grande field offices declined by at least 25 percent as a result of agency decisions to reduce its workforce. They also noted the field office in The Dalles has experienced a substantial drop in workers.

“These three rural field offices already faced staffing shortages before these cuts, with just twenty combined employees serving more than 232,000 Oregonians in ten counties and parts of Washington and Idaho,” the lawmakers wrote, noting how nearly every American interacts with the agency at pivotal moments in their lives.

“Access to in-person services is especially important for each of those moments, especially for people who have difficulty speaking by phone, who lack reliable internet access, and who have difficulty understanding program rules,” they wrote. “Any disruption in service, especially interruption of benefit payments, can be financially devastating for families. For many of these Oregonians, field offices are often their only channel of service. These field offices are located in predominantly rural areas, with the nearest field office more than 50 miles away from many users.”

“Additionally, more than 400,000 Oregonians lack internet access at home because the state’s size and rugged terrain make it costly and difficult to build broadband infrastructure,” the lawmakers continued.  “Without in-person services, if those Oregonians have difficulty using a phone they are 100 percent cut off from their benefits.”

Nearly 1 million Oregonians collect Social Security benefits, and the lawmakers’ letter noted that the agency’s reckless actions have already inflicted a devastating toll on those Oregon beneficiaries and tens of millions more across America.

“Simply put, your decisions jeopardize Oregonians’ access to their Social Security benefits without providing any substantive plans to provide quality service to these communities,” they wrote. “We urge you to immediately reverse these changes and work to rebuild SSA’s workforce so it can serve the millions of Oregonians and Americans who depend on Social Security.”  A copy of the entire letter is here.

Central Oregon cultural events canceled over safety concerns

In Central Oregon, cultural groups are pulling back from organizing large public events due to concerns of participants being detained or deported by the Trump administration, with community organizers citing fears of violence against Black, Latino and Asian people.

This week, organizers announced separately that two marquee cultural events have been canceled. Press releases for both Latino Fest and Juneteenth cited concerns over safety for participants.

“There is heightened fear among immigrant community members due to recent immigration enforcement actions, anti-immigrant rhetoric, or rumors of raids or targeting,” Latino Community Association Executive Director Catalina Sánchez Frank said in a statement.

The nonprofit organizes Latino Fest in Madras every September, except for 2020 and 2021, when COVID paused nearly all community events.

The Father’s Group released a separate statement announcing Juneteenth would also not take place this year. The Black cultural event usually takes place in Bend’s Drake Park.

“In today’s increasingly volatile political climate, with rising incidents of racial aggression and threats—particularly toward Black and Latino communities—safety must come first,” according to a statement from the group.

Central Oregon has been dealing with a steady drip of high-profile racist incidents in recent years, from racial slurs being screamed repeatedly during a Bend public meeting to rocks being thrown at a mariachi band in Redmond.

Bend Equity and Inclusion Director Andrés Portela III said he’s grateful LCA “decided to just pivot for this year and think about what does the future look like,” calling the cancellation a step toward community preservation and healing.

In late January, LCA said a man was detained by ICE in Central Oregon. Sánchez Frank told OPB at the time that the organization was rethinking holding Central Oregon’s biggest Latino cultural heritage festival, which typically draws thousands of people from across the state.

“Do we want to have that? Do we want to have the community gather at one place at one time? I don’t know,” she said.

That was about the time Ana Bueno said she started getting calls from people asking about Latino Fest. Bueno is a client services manager for LCA in Madras and the event committee lead.

Last month, the organization internally decided to cancel the event. Latino people in Madras reported feeling fearful of leaving their homes to go to work or go shopping, Bueno said, and organizations were starting to pull out of the event.

Like Juneteenth, Latino Fest is held at a city park. Bueno said moving the event to a more secure location is not possible. There’s nowhere else in Madras able to accommodate the crowds.

She said moving the event to a different town has been discussed in the past, however, she said the event belongs to the Latino community of Madras who have helped put it on.

In previous years, she said, people have protested the event while waving Trump flags, and nothing major has happened. But, she said, this year feels different.

This isn’t the only time a cultural event has been canceled due to fears of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In 2019, a Latino music festival was canceled in Jerome, Idaho after speculation about potential ICE activity.

This year, just a short drive away in Twin Falls, Idaho, that community’s Latino Fest is expected to take place. Other Latino cultural events are still scheduled to happen in both urban and rural Pacific Northwest areas.

Organizers confirmed Latino Cultural Festival in Hillsboro, Fiesta Mexicana in Woodburn and Fiestas Mexicanas in Wenatchee, Washington, are still on track to take place.

“We believe that our people need, more than ever, to relate in diverse events that can unite our community,” said Martha Zaldivar with Fiestas Mexicanas.

Large events like Cinco de Mayo and El Grito in Portland and MEXAMNW Festival in Seattle are moving forward, according to organizers.

“It’s always disheartening to hear about other cultural celebrations being canceled — these events play such a vital role in honoring and uplifting our communities,” said Karla Nahmmacher with the MEXAMNW Festival.

Last year, the Asian Pacific Islanders Collective in Central Oregon made the decision to make their Spring Festival event by invitation only.

APIC Co-founder huong tran said the decision was made after some attendees disrespected and mocked authentic cultural dances and regalia during a previous event.

This year, the February celebration took place in a house of worship and was not widely publicized.

Just weeks before the event, President Donald Trump had signed an executive order lifting a ban on federal agents entering houses of worship and schools in order to make arrests.

At the beginning of the APIC event in Bend, tran asked for people to volunteer to interact first with any federal immigration officers, should they arrive.

One by one, people stood to volunteer. A round of applause followed.

Kenneth Adams, executive director of the Father’s Group, said it’s not possible to move Juneteenth to a secure private place. An average of 15,000 people have attended the free weekend event in past years, Adams said, which makes it hard to find a suitable alternative venue.

Adams said in addition to safety concerns, the national political climate informed the decision to cancel Juneteenth in Bend.

Like Bueno, Adams also said part of the decision came from a gut feeling.

“It’s better to be safe than sorry,” he said. “I literally have witnessed people being accosted just for walking down the street, and getting yelled at because they look a certain way, or they come from a certain country.”

Last weekend, protests against the Trump administration took place across the county. Local media outlets reported more than 1,000 people turned out in Bend. OPB documented the moment as hundreds of people crowded a downtown intersection. It was the largest protest some attendees said they’ve ever seen in Bend, including Sisters resident Annemarie Crosier.

Born in the Netherlands, she said showing up to the event was important to her because her Dutch grandmother had told her stories about people being disappeared by the Nazis.

Crosier noted the high number or white people attending the Bend protest.

“Black people have been putting their bodies on the sidewalk, so to speak, for decades, and it’s really time for white people to show up in force,” she said. (SOURCE)

Oregon rejects Trump administration’s school funding threat over DEI policies

Top officials in Oregon are refusing to sign off on a demand from the U.S. Department of Education that requires states to abandon policies related to diversity, equity and inclusion if they want to keep receiving federal funding for schools.

The four-page letter from the federal education department says “the continued use of illegal DEI practices may subject the individual or entity using such practices to serious consequences,” such as eliminating federal funding for state education departments or school districts.

Earlier this week, Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal pushed back against the letter. Now, Gov. Tina Kotek and Director of the Oregon Department of Education Charlene Williams are doing the same.

“The Trump Administration’s threat to shortchange Oregon students hurts children and families and undermines the dedication and work of our educators,” Kotek wrote in a statement Thursday. “We will not tolerate this unwarranted and unlawful attempt to take away resources promised to Oregon students and paid for by the tax dollars we send to the federal government.”

In its letter demanding an abandonment of DEI policies, the U.S. Department of Education cites the Supreme Court ruling in SFFA v. Harvard. While that case involves race-conscious admissions policies at colleges and universities, leaders in the Trump Administration are using the decision as a basis for outlawing diversity policies “more broadly.”

Both Oregon and Washington officials argue that the states have already submitted the certifications and affirmations as required by federal law. In Oregon’s response letter, Williams argues that the demands in the April 4 letter from the U.S. Department of Education are “duplicative, unnecessary, and unduly burdensome.”

Williams’ response continues: “Oregon remains fiercely committed to its values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and we celebrate our differences and common humanity.” The letter claims a “moral and ethical obligation” to defend public education, and to ensure “children can learn and thrive in safe, welcoming, and supportive environments.”

Oregon’s response cites a handful of court cases that officials say suggest the need for regulatory processes to validate the sudden shift in education policy implied by the federal government’s letter. The state’s letter also says the demand from the federal government is “unclear” because terms such as “illegal DEI” are not defined.

In emphasizing the abrupt change underway since President Donald Trump returned to office, ODE’s letter noted a different attitude from education leaders during Trump’s first term. The letter said “former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos informed USDOE staff in 2020 that ‘[d]iversity and inclusion are the cornerstones of high organizational performance.‘”

Last month, Trump initiated an effort to close the education department entirely, on the heels of starting the process of firing numerous federal education staff.

The response from state leaders comes as local school officials in Oregon have been reaching out to parents and staff. In a message to the North Clackamas School District community Thursday, Superintendent Shay James reinforced support for values that “build relationships with students that honor their cultural heritage, foster their well-being, and engage each student to reach their full potential.”

James encouraged teachers to “continue focusing on what we can control: building trusting relationships with students and families, providing excellent instruction, and modeling calm and care.” (SOURCE)

Oregon could lose millions in childhood vaccine funding

Federal funds for childhood vaccines in Oregon could be cut by nearly $9 million, part of more than $2 billion in broader cancellations of pandemic-era federal public health spending, per government data.

Why it matters: Federal money helps fight preventable and sometimes deadly diseases like measles, which is now spreading in several parts of the country.

Zoom in: The cuts would amount to $8.9 million out of nearly $53 million total in public health grants awarded to the state by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

What they’re saying: “We’re talking about contractors losing their contracts and not being able to get paid, people who were working on vaccination programs not there anymore, and all of the supporting infrastructure that these funds provided evaporated in an instant,” says Josh Michaud, associate director for global health policy at health policy research and news organization KFF.

• States also get separate federal money for immunization efforts through programs like Vaccines for Children, Michaud notes — though many were counting on these grants as well.

Yes, but: A federal judge temporarily blocked the cuts last week after nearly two dozen states, including Oregon, filed a lawsuit against HHS. (SOURCE)

OHA empowering communities to reduce tobacco harms statewide 

New report chronicles more than 25 years of progress — though work remains 

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority is making steady progress in reducing harmful effects of tobacco use through education and community partnerships, according to a new report. 

The 2023-25 Tobacco Prevention and Education Program (TPEP) annual report shows gains have been made in lowering tobacco use over more than a quarter century, through ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting public health.  

However, tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in Oregon, claiming more than 8,000 lives each year and contributing to chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

“Our commitment to reducing tobacco use is unwavering,” said Naomi Adeline-Biggs, director of the OHA Public Health Division. “Through the Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, we have made significant strides in protecting the health of Oregonians, and we will continue to build on this legacy.”

The report shows that the tobacco industry “focuses its ads, offers and store displays toward specific groups.”

For example, about one in five people targeted in this strategy have household incomes of less than $20,000 per year. An identical percentage of targeted tobacco users report being in poor mental health.

Widespread evidence shows that tobacco marketing causes youth tobacco use and makes it harder for people who are addicted to nicotine to quit.

Another marketing strategy involves the addition of menthol – a flavor additive in cigarettes — that creates a cooling sensation in the throat when the user inhales, making cigarettes feel less harsh, more appealing and easier to smoke, especially for youth and young adults. Tobacco companies manufacture menthol cigarettes to attract potential smokers, especially among communities of color and youth.

Menthol cigarettes contribute to greater nicotine dependence in youth and young adults than non-menthol cigarettes. About 61% of African Americans in Oregon who smoke report using menthol cigarettes, compared to 17% of White residents.

The tobacco industry has been marketing menthol products to African Americans through targeted campaigns since the 1970s. They advertise and promote menthol-flavored tobacco in African American neighborhoods and use campaigns that exploit cultural hallmarks and stereotypes.

For example, Newport, a menthol-flavored cigarette brand, is commonly cheaper to buy in areas with more African American residents.

Youth and teenagers are especially attracted to the flavored products. Roughly 75% of eighth graders and 11th graders who use these tobacco products report using flavored tobacco or vaping products.

Other report findings include:

• Sustained reduction in tobacco use—Oregon has experienced a 46% decrease in adult smoking rates and a 70% reduction in per-capita cigarette sales since TPEP’s inception in 1996.
• Community-centered solutions—TPEP has focused on addressing health inequities by investing more than 65% of its funding directly into local communities, supporting culturally relevant prevention and cessation programs.
• Youth-focused initiatives—The program has implemented strategies to reduce youth tobacco use, including anti-vaping education, mentorship programs and alternatives to suspension for nicotine use.

In 2021, the Oregon Legislature created the Tobacco Retail License Program to ensure compliance with sales laws. Since its inception, youth tobacco use has dropped from 26% in 2022 to 14% in 2024.

This video shows how Youth Adult Inspectors with OHA’s Tobacco Retail Licensing Program are getting involved in reducing retail sales to minors.

OHA’s Tobacco Prevention and Education Program has further implemented initiatives that have significantly decreased tobacco use among Oregonians.

This latest report underscores the program’s achievements and outlines ongoing initiatives aimed at improving health.

Key to the momentum behind the state’s tobacco reduction efforts has been the development of collaborative efforts with community partners to further reduce tobacco-related harm and promote health equity across the state.

One such partner, AntFarm, a community-based organization in rural Clackamas County, has a robust mentorship program to help youth quit tobacco. It does this by creating spaces and projects that give youth a sense of belonging.

Youth-created videos highlight the organization’s work.  

Kim Wheeler, director of Youth and Family Services at AntFarm, emphasized the importance of these efforts: “We empower youth and families to breathe freely, live strong and healthy lives while building a future without tobacco or vaping through bringing awareness and education to our communities,” she said. 

Quitting tobacco makes a difference – and quitting is different for everyone. That’s why there are a variety of free options across Oregon. 

• You can get free counseling with a coach by visiting the Oregon Tobacco Quitline, or by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW, or texting “READY” to 34191.
• You can visit a pharmacist near you who will work with you to build a personalized treatment plan and provide follow up to see how the treatment plan is working.
• You can also learn how to quit in your own way, with or without the help of a coach or pharmacist, by visiting this

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.  

For more information about tobacco prevention visit the OHA website. 

Oregon completes post-pandemic Medicaid renewals; 83% maintained benefits  

Renewals were largely equitable across different groups, with some exceptions

SALEM, Ore. — Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic upended the world, concerted state efforts to keep people covered have helped about 83% of Oregon Medicaid members maintain public health benefits, according to a new analysis of Oregon’s COVID-19 Federal Public Health Emergency Unwinding Project from Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS). The years-long project wrapped up at the end of February and its final results were recently presented to the Oregon Health Policy Board.

“Over two years, OHA and ODHS teamed up to help a significant number of Oregonians maintain their essential health benefits following the pandemic,” said OHA Interim Director Kris Kautz. “Our thoughtful collaboration has made it possible for more people to receive the care they need to live healthy, full lives. I am tremendously proud of OHA and ODHS staff for this monumental accomplishment.” 

Jointly funded by states and the federal government, Medicaid provides no-cost health coverage to low-income adults, children, pregnant women, older adults, people with disabilities and others. Oregon Health Plan (OHP) is the state’s Medicaid program, and it covers nearly 1.5 million people — including a third of Oregon’s adults and half of its children. OHA manages OHP. ODHS helps people apply for benefits, determines applicant eligibility and provides maintenance of benefits through redeterminations.

“Access to health care is critical for people to take care of themselves, their families and our communities,” said ODHS Director Fariborz Pakseresht. “By combining our efforts into one project, ODHS and OHA were far more effective in guiding people through the Medicaid renewals process, especially for those groups at higher risk of losing essential health care such as people with disabilities and older Oregonians.” 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, states were required to keep nearly all Medicaid members continuously enrolled between 2020 and 2023. Starting in the spring of 2023, federal legislation required states to resume normal processes to verify that enrolled members met Medicaid eligibility criteria. Oregon concluded its Medicaid renewal process last month.

Between April 1, 2023, and Feb. 28, 2025: 

• 1,169,042 Medicaid members in Oregon (80.3%) kept their full benefits.
• 40,563 people (2.8%) had benefits reduced. While these members lost full OHP coverage, they were able to continue Medicare Savings Programs, which help pay Medicare costs, or a dental-only Medicaid benefit.
• 247,104 people (16.9%) were found ineligible and ended benefits.
• 130,000 individuals who lost OHP coverage were referred to the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace to obtain private health insurance. During the same period, 32,363 consumers made Marketplace plan selections. It is important to note that not all Marketplace enrollment is attributable to OHP renewal determinations.

Oregon achieved largely equitable outcomes during the Medicaid renewal process, although some populations had renewal rates that were slightly below the statewide average of 83.1%.

For example, 82% of people who identified as non-binary renewed their OHP benefits, as did 81% of Asians, Middle Easterners or North Africans, and 80% of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

Renewal and response rates for age and disability-based Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs exceeded overall averages.

High renewal rates

Oregon’s efforts resulted in one of the highest Medicaid renewal rates in the nation. Reasons for the state’s high Medicaid renewal rate included:  

• OHP Bridge, a new category of OHP with higher income limits, launched July 1, 2024. About 34,000 people are currently enrolled in OHP Bridge.
• During the unwinding process, Oregonians had up to 90 days to respond and 60 days’ advance notice of any closure. Oregon gave members longer to respond than any other state.
• A robust, statewide network of community partners, combined with tools like earned media and paid advertising, helped spread awareness of the renewal process.

After having their Medicaid benefits renewed during the pandemic unwinding process, most adults have two years of continuous eligibility for Medicaid benefits. While this does not directly affect Oregon’s renewal rate, it prevents the churn of on-and-off benefits between renewals and allowed staff to provide more support to people during the unwinding process. Oregon is the only state to give most adults two years of continuous eligibility for Medicaid benefits. Oregon also offers young children benefits until their sixth birthday.

“Achieving Oregon’s high renewal rate was a team effort among Oregon’s executive and legislative leadership, our policy staff, our eligibility staff and partners who supported Oregonians during the unwinding period,” said Pakseresht, the ODHS director.

For more information about the outcomes of Oregon’s COVID-19 Federal Public Health Emergency Unwinding Project, check out the project’s final information sheet and slidedeck.

Need help managing your OHP benefits?

1. Learn more about OHP.
2. Call the ONE Customer Service Center at 800-699-9075. All relay calls are accepted, and help is available in multiple languages.
3. Visit or call a local Oregon Department of Human Services office. People can find their local office at https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/Pages/office-finder.aspx.
4. Visit an expert for free, in-person help. To find one near you visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp (English) or orhim.info/ayuda (Spanish).
5. Log into your ONE Online account at benefits.oregon.gov or download the Oregon ONE Mobile app via the app store on your smartphone.

Don’t qualify for OHP and need medical coverage? Learn which insurance coverage options are available to you at OregonHealthCare.gov (English) or orhim.info/comprar (Spanish).

State and Federal Taxes are due April 15, but if you still haven’t filed your 2024 returns, the state of Oregon is sharing some options to submit them for free The Oregon Department of Revenue is encouraging taxpayers to submit their returns as soon as possible.

Nearly 1.2 million Oregonians have already filed their state personal income tax returns this year, but more than 1 million Oregonians have yet to submit their tax year 2024 returns.  E-filing is the fastest way for taxpayers to get their tax refund.

The Department also says electronically filing(e-filing) your taxes and requesting a refund through direct deposit is a quicker way to get your return. Anyone looking to track their return in Oregon can use the Department’s Where’s My Refund? tool to check Taxpayers can file their federal return directly with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) using their Direct File software, and file their state return using Direct File Oregon.

Both programs are free. Other services offering free tax preparation assistance can be found on the Revenue website.

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 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. 

Easter Bunny Express, April 19th! Get your tickets now

It’s spring, the flowers are blooming and the bunnies are hopping—time for a delightful spring train ride behind a steam locomotive!

Polson #2 is coming out of the Enginehouse to pull all three runs of the Easter Bunny Express Saturday, April 19. Trains leave at 1pm, 2:30pm and 4 pm. Come along to smell the flowers and take selfies with our Easter Bunny. Enjoy a scenic 45-minute ride along the Willamette River in Portland to Oaks Park and back.

Hop aboard the first ride of the season! Get your tickets at https://orhf.org/saturday-train-rides/.

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.

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 closes April 15 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 1^st 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.oregon.gov/osp/missing/pages/missingpersons.aspx

 

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