The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Rogue Valley Weather
US National Weather Service Medford Oregon
In recognition of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People/Women Awareness Day next week, our community partners — the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Cow Creek Public Health and the Douglas County Anti Human Trafficking Task Force — will host two discussions around the MMIP/MMIW movement.
The Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe shares that this is an important discussion to have and listen to because Native American, Alaska Native and First Nations people experience violence at disproportionally higher rates than other communities.
Organizers hope to actively address the issue and reiterate to the community that victims are not at fault and do not have to be silent, and that everyone can play a role in prevention.
Join in person, or watch live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/…/Cow-Creek-Band-of-Umpqua…/).
Monday, May 5, at 5:30 p.m.:
Tribal Veterans Service Office
500 S.E. Cass Ave., Suite 120
Village Station in Roseburg
Thursday, May 8, at 5:30 p.m.:
Tribal Community Center
825 NE Leon Ave.
Myrtle Creek
RSVP on the Cow Creek Umpqua Facebook page: https://shorturl.at/d36xP
MORE INFO: https://www.cowcreek-nsn.gov/listening-and-learning-sessions-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-people/
In Jakson County, a mother and daughter from California were apprehended on Saturday following reports from multiple local businesses about counterfeit $20 bills.
The individuals, identified as 42-year-old Samantha Jo Ann O’Neil and her 18-year-old daughter Jamie Aileen O’Neil, both residents of Walnut Grove, California, were arrested and taken to the Jackson County Jail.
They face multiple charges, including three counts of first-degree forgery, three counts of third-degree theft, ten counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, and three counts of criminal possession of a forgery device.
Furthermore, Samantha was found in possession of 7.2 grams of methamphetamine and a meth pipe, leading to an additional charge of unlawful possession of meth.
On Saturday morning deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) received two reports regarding an unidentified woman wearing an orange sweatshirt who was passing counterfeit $20 bills at various businesses in White City. Surveillance footage revealed the suspect’s vehicle to be a silver 2005 Toyota Camry with a California license plate.
At 10:05 AM, JCSO deputies discovered the vehicle unoccupied in the parking lot of Hobby Lobby in Medford. They initiated surveillance and subsequently arrested the suspects as they approached the car. Following the arrest, JCSO deputies executed a search warrant on the suspects’ vehicle, uncovering numerous counterfeit bills along with printed sheets of uncut counterfeit currency.
The businesses identified as victims thus far include Medford Hobby Lobby, as well as the White City locations of Dutch Bros., McDonald’s, and Starbucks. The two women traveled from Lodi, California, on Wednesday, April 23, and deputies suspect there may be additional victims along their route. If you believe your business has received counterfeit money from either of the women depicted, please contact the JCSO Dispatch Non-Emergency number at (541) 776-7206.
Grants Pass Police Arrest Male for Assault with a Vehicle
Vehicle Theft and Domestic Violence Suspect Apprehended After Eluding Law Enforcement
A Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputy located the stolen vehicle traveling south on S. Pacific Highway in South Medford and attempted a traffic stop. Mabrier eluded the deputy at high speed, driving dangerously through South Medford, Phoenix, Talent, and into Ashland, where he rear-ended another vehicle and continued to flee. JCSO deputies terminated their pursuit as the vehicle entered Ashland.
Mabrier’s reckless driving ended in a crash at the intersection of Main and Maple Streets in Ashland. He fled on foot but was quickly apprehended by JCSO deputies and Ashland Police officers. He was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and medically cleared for custody.
Mabrier faces multiple charges from MPD and JCSO, including:
MPD Charges (Case 25-7014, Lodged):
- Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
- Recklessly Endangering
- Assault IV (Domestic Violence)
- Harassment (Domestic Violence)
- Theft 1
- Reckless Driving
- Robbery 3
- Hit and Run (x2)
- Disorderly Conduct
- Detainer
JCSO Charges (Case 25-2262, Cited and Released):
- Eluding
- Reckless Driving
- Recklessly Endangering
- Hit and Run (x2, Felonies)
- Resisting Arrest
The Medford Police Department and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office commend the coordinated efforts of all responding agencies for safely apprehending the suspect. The investigation is ongoing.
K9 Yana apprehends Felony Warrant Subject
DETAILS: On Saturday, April 26, 2025, at approximately 7:24 pm, a Josephine County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a white van near Fish Hatchery Road and Colin Road. The driver failed to yield, and a vehicle pursuit ensued.
The suspect fled eastbound on Fish Hatchery Road before continuing onto Cheney Creek Road. During the pursuit, dispatch advised that the registered owner of the vehicle was listed as 48 year-old Jack Conklin.
Further information revealed that Conklin had an active felony warrant issued by the Oregon Parole Board, with underlying charges including Attempted Murder, Assault II x 3, Coercion and Kidnapping.
Approximately four miles up the dirt portion of Cheney Creek Road, the suspect came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the roadway and fled on foot. K-9 Yana was deployed and successfully apprehended the suspect down a steep embankment. The suspect was identified as Jack Conklin.
Conklin was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of a dog bite sustained during his apprehension. After receiving medical clearance, he was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Felony Elude, Misdemeanor Elude, Reckless Driving, and for his outstanding Felony Warrant.
Loss of FEMA Program Spells Disaster for Hundreds of Communities and Their Projects Including Southern Oregon
A lawsuit highlights Grants Pass in conservative southern Oregon, where FEMA has refused to release BRIC funding awarded for a $50 million water treatment facility.
Credit: APA vehicle at left drives down Rogue River Highway as light shines on the area Saturday, March 23, 2024, in Grants Pass, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)Author: Jack Brook (Associated Press)Published: 9:54 AM PDT April 28, 2025Updated: 9:54 AM PDT April 28, 2025
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Says Federal Cancellation of Grant Program Impedes Oregon’s Ability to Prepare for Disasters
– The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) outlined the impact the April 4 announcement from FEMA canceling the fiscal year 2024 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program has on Oregon.
The cancellation, detailed in a memo from Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Cameron Hamilton, outlines a review of BRIC programs from fiscal years 2020 through 2023 for programs communities depend on across the state.
In addition, FEMA issued an updated advisory on April 16 further clarifying that: “as the program is concluding, the Fiscal Year 2024 BRIC funding opportunity is cancelled, no applications submitted will be reviewed and no funds will be awarded. In addition, for all BRIC applications from Fiscal Years 2020-2023, if grant funds have not been distributed to states, tribes, territories and local communities, funds will be returned either to the Disaster Relief Fund or the U.S. Treasury.”
The BRIC grant program gives money to help communities prepare for natural disasters before they happen. For example, BRIC funds can be used to build better levees to help prevent the kind of flooding we’ve seen recently in Harney County. BRIC helps build safer roads, buildings, and other important things to keep people and property safe during a disaster. Currently, the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program is unaffected in Oregon.
What this means:
- Projects that were selected but not yet awarded won’t receive funding.
- Ongoing projects may be delayed or stopped short of construction.
- Money set aside for managing these efforts could be pulled back.
- Without extensions or continued support, communities across Oregon will face delays or cancellations in vital infrastructure improvements designed to reduce risk and protect lives.
FEMA is conducting a full review of active and obligated BRIC projects before further work to help Oregonians prepare for disasters in the future can continue.
“These decisions will significantly impact communities across Oregon working to reduce disaster risk and invest in safer, more resilient infrastructure,” said OEM Director Erin McMahon. “We are actively working with federal and state legislators to communicate these financial impacts and with FEMA partners to gain clarity on next steps and timelines. I have directed my team to conduct our own review to see what projects may fit within other Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants through federal partners that are currently funded like the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant or other state grant programs.”
The Impact on Oregon:
- Federal share of BRIC projects: $140 million
- Local matching share of BRIC projects: $90 million
- Total local sunk costs: 8 of the 26 projects have a combined total of $8 million in sunk costs (details below).
- Impact on submitted budgets: Due to funding delays and their effect on project timelines, even if the grants were reinstated, some projects will be priced out as they locked cost estimates years ago when inflation and tariffs were lower, but those locked in prices are set to expire and the new cost could be significantly higher.
During remarks yesterday to the media, Governor Kotek referenced cuts to the BRIC grants: “These are bipartisan or nonpartisan community projects that everybody supports. I have not heard one rationale from the Trump Administration as to why they cancelled the BRIC grants.” She was speaking specifically about a project in Mapleton that received grant funding to assist with necessary upgrades to the town’s water infrastructure. You can view the full remarks at around the 25-minute mark here.
To stay informed, OEM encourages interested parties to sign up for alerts when updates are posted on the federal action webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/oem/Pages/Federal-Changes.aspx
Details about the 8 projects with sunk costs:
City of Port Orford –
Utility and Infrastructure Protection Project. This project aims to address vulnerabilities in the City of Port Orford’s drinking water supply infrastructure caused by earthquakes, drought, and wildfire. It includes the installation of water meters, as well as the design, replacement, and retrofit of strategic sections of the water distribution system. The grant would ensure that the city has sufficient water to meet average daily demand while maintaining adequate emergency storage to withstand and respond to natural hazards. The project would impact a population of 1,146 residents.
- Federal Share: $6,566,537
- Local Share: $691,214
- Sunk cost: $273,350
Medford Water Commission
Utility and Infrastructure Protection Project. This project will conduct critical infrastructure improvements at four system locations as part of the Rogue Valley Water Supply Resiliency Program (RVWSRP). The goal is to enhance the resilience of the water system against seismic events, wildfires, and droughts caused by extreme weather conditions.
- Federal Share: $34,806,505
- Local Share: $14,516,834
- Sunk cost $1,875,370
City of Grants Pass
Water Treatment Plant Relocation Project. This project aims to relocate the Water Treatment Plant outside the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) to prevent system failure during a flooding event. The City of Grants Pass has made substantial investments in the comprehensive design of the project, contributing over 50% of the required cost match. The loss of federal grant funds jeopardizes the broader system project scope, which exceeds twice the federal contribution. To date, the city has invested over $5 million in pre-award technical engineering and design, in addition to sunk costs incurred during the subapplication process.
- Federal Share: $50,000,000
- Local Share: $60,800,302
- Sunk cost: $5,000,000
Clatsop County Government / City of Astoria Columbie Memorial Hospital
Tsunami Vertical Evacuation Refuge Structure (TVERS) Project. This project integrates a Tsunami Vertical Evacuation Refuge Structure (TVERS) into the Columbia Memorial Hospital expansion, creating a multi-purpose facility designed to shelter the impacted population at an elevated level above tsunami inundation zones.
- Federal Share: $13,897,122
- Local Share: $5,955,909
- Sunk cost $817,846
Oregon Department of Land Conservation & Development
Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. Updates to the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plans (NHMP) for the Burns Paiute Tribe, as well as Columbia and Umatilla Counties, aim to enhance emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts while mitigating the future impacts of natural disasters.
- Federal Share: $488,653
- Local Share: $152,704
- Sunk cost $8,347
Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM)
FY2021 Grant Management Costs
- Federal Share: $488,257
- Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $39,500
Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM)
FY 2022 Grant Management Costs
- Federal Share: $19,695,731
- Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $73,141
Oregon Military Department – Office of Emergency Management (pre-OEM)
FY 2023 Grant Partnership Costs
- Federal Share: $1,261,848
Sunk cost from the State of Oregon’s General Fund: $79,029
# # # It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure the capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem.
SAR RESCUE ON RAINIE FALLS TRAIL 
DETAILS: On April 23, 2025, shortly after 1:00pm, Josephine County Search and Rescue responded to a report of an injured hiker on the Rainie Falls Trail. The individual reportedly had injuries to both ankles and was unable to hike out. Two Search and Rescue ground teams were deployed, along with a wheeled litter carrier, to reach the hiker approximately two miles into the trail. Upon locating the subject, SAR personnel assessed the injuries and safely prepared the hiker for evacuation.The subject was then transported out of the area to safety using the litter.
Roseburg Library gets grant to help enhance services for people with disabilities
The Roseburg Public Library is among more than a dozen rural libraries in Oregon that’s received a grant to help better serve people with disabilities.
The Roseburg Public Library, Sweet Home Public Library, Halsey, Oakridge, and Oakland Public Libraries were among Oregon libraries to receive grants under the program.
Roseburg Library Director Kris Wiley said the yearlong grant of $10,000 will help them develop accessibility resources. She told KLCC people with disabilities visit the library every day.
“We want to engage even more with them and give them the material that they want to use and the formats that they want to use,” she said. “We want to give them programming that excites them and makes them want to come back to the library and develop these relationships with libraries and librarians that are so important.”
Wiley said they’ll have community conversations to gather input for how to use the grant money. The sessions are 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 3 and then Thursday, June 19, at 6:00 p.m.
“I’ll bring the pizza,” she said. “I ask folks to bring their enthusiasm and ideas. And this will be a guided conversation with people with disabilities.”
She said caregivers are welcome, but she’d like the conversations to be with the folks they’re intending to serve.
Wiley said she would like this year-long grant project to have long-term impacts.
“My hope is that the programs will be so popular that they’ll be able to continue on a smaller scale,” she said.
When asked how federal program cuts may affect Roseburg’s ability to provide services, Wiley said she hasn’t seen any impact yet. She said their library’s funding is local. But, they’re keeping an eye on what’s happening at the various levels of government. She said the accessibility grant they received is privately funded by the American Library Association, in collaboration with the Association of Rural and Small Libraries. (SOURCE)
Umpqua Community College officials have confirmed that softball player Kiley Jones and coach Jami Strinz were the two individuals who lost their lives in a collision on Friday night while the team was returning to the Roseburg campus after a game.
According to the Oregon State Police, an oncoming vehicle crossed the centerline and collided with the team bus, which was being driven by Strinz.
Kiley Jones, 19, was a freshman and played first base, hailing from Nampa, Idaho. Jami Strinz, 46, resided in Roseburg and not only coached the softball team but also led the college’s volleyball program, earning recognition within Oregon’s collegiate softball community, as noted on the college’s website.
In addition to the fatalities, eight other individuals associated with the team were on the bus and sustained injuries ranging from moderate to serious, as reported by state police. Multiple students and staff members are currently hospitalized in Eugene and Portland following the incident, as announced by the college’s president, Rachel Pokrandt, on Saturday afternoon.
On Monday, the Oregon State Police (OSP) apprehended Johnathan James Dowdy after his discharge from RiverBend Hospital, where he received treatment for injuries incurred in that collisionwith the college team van.
Dowdy, a 32-year-old resident of Coos Bay, is currently held at the Coos County jail and is facing numerous charges, including: Manslaughter in the First Degree (two counts), Assault in the Second Degree (three counts), Assault in the Third Degree (five counts), Reckless Endangering of a Person (fourteen counts), Aggravated Driving While Suspended or Revoked, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Driving While Suspended – Misdemeanor, and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree.
These charges arise from an incident on Highway 42 in Coos County, where Dowdy’s westbound Chevrolet Silverado crossed the centerline and collided head-on with an eastbound Chevrolet Express bus.
This season marksed the inaugural year for Umpqua Community College’s softball program, and the team was returning from a successful double-header against Gray’s Harbor College, which took place at Southwest Oregon Community College in Coos Bay.
The journey back to Roseburg spans 85 miles along the winding Oregon Route 42. Preliminary investigations suggest that Johnathan James Dowdy, 32, from Coos Bay, was driving westbound in his Chevrolet Silverado when he crossed the centerline, resulting in a head-on collision with the team bus, a Chevrolet Express.
The Oregon State Police indicated that impaired driving is likely a contributing factor to the crash by Mr. Dowdy.
Rogue Valley Symphonic Band WE NEED YOU!
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
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
Drought, beetles, and tree diseases continue to threaten Oregon’s forests according to latest aerial survey
– A new report on the state of health of Oregon’s forests is now available. Based on an extensive aerial survey of Oregon’s forests completed last year by the Oregon Department of Forestry and the USDA Forest Service, the report shows that drought, insect pests, and tree diseases continue to be the biggest threats to the state’s trees. The full report is available at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/forestbenefits/documents/forest-health-highlights.pdf
“A large part of this report is devoted to looking at the impact from climate change, specifically drought. Drought is often paired with rising temperatures, and together these are often the underlying causes for tree mortality across our landscape. Drought reduces tree growth and increases susceptibility to insect pests and some diseases, which healthy trees may otherwise resist or tolerate,” said ODF Forest Entomologist Christine Buhl, who helped produce the report.
Buhl said the report also measures other causes of trees being injured or killed, such as insect pests, diseases, storms, and wildfires.
Last year a record 1.9 million acres were affected by wildfire. However, some of those acres contained sections that were not damaged, not all of the burned areas were forested, and not all forests burned with the same intensity. Some areas that experienced low-intensity wildfires, in many places because of fuel-reduction work, may see a majority of their larger-diameter trees survive.
Areas hardest hit by drought, such as the eastern foothills of the Cascades and some parts of northeastern Oregon, saw the largest amount of non-wildfire tree damage—some 2.26 million acres. Within those 2.26 million acres is a mosaic of unaffected and current-year affected acres of forest. In 2024, 580,000 affected acres of damage from these agents were recorded. Damage consisted of 496,000 affected acres of tree injury, most of which (463,000 acres) was caused by Swiss needle cast, a foliar disease from which trees may recover. But 84,000 acres showed tree deaths.
“We may be under-reporting the impact of many tree-killing diseases, because the signs can often be missed from the air. For example, root diseases require ground-based assessment, such as excavating roots, to verify the presence of disease. This is labor intensive so is not done routinely across all forestlands,” said Buhl.
Buhl emphasized the importance of on-the-ground collaborators to help round out the full picture of forest health in Oregon. “In addition to information ODF and the USDA Forest Service gather, we rely on Oregon State University Forestry Extension staff from across the state, and collaborate with other natural resource agencies, universities, public and private forest landowners, and members of the public to gather information,” she said.
In the aerial survey, trained observers fly over all forested lands in the Pacific Northwest in fixed-wing aircraft and record damage to trees from all sources. Flights are staffed with one observer on each side of the aircraft. Survey flights typically fly between 1,500 to 2,500 feet above ground level, following a systematic grid four miles apart and traveling at 90 to 140 miles an hour.
The Pacific Northwest Aerial Detection Survey is the longest continuous survey of its kind in the United States, having been established in 1947 and flown every year since, except 2020 when it was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Tina Kotek has announced a $10 million investment aimed at developing the artificial intelligence (AI) workforce, in conjunction with a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the State of Oregon and chipmaker, NVIDIA.
This initiative seeks to enhance AI education and skill development. The announcement was made during her speech at the Northwest Breakfast Forum, organized by SEMI, an association representing the semiconductor, electronics design, and manufacturing supply chain sectors.
The MOU creates a partnership framework for Oregon and NVIDIA to promote entrepreneurship and expand AI-centric education and skill development, preparing Oregonians for future opportunities while assisting state agencies in identifying responsible AI applications to enhance government services. As part of this collaboration, NVIDIA will partner with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) and Oregon’s higher education institutions to establish an AI Ambassador Program, which will deploy trained ambassadors across campuses to offer practical training and mentorship to students. This initiative will be guided by a steering committee comprising representatives from both the state and industry.
In addition to the MOU, the Governor is allocating $10 million from the Oregon CHIPS Act funding to the Semiconductor Talent Sustaining Fund, aimed at cultivating a strong technology workforce in Oregon. This investment will support workforce development initiatives related to the semiconductor and AI industries, with an emphasis on training Oregonians, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, for lucrative career opportunities.
Oregon hits recycling milestone: 10 million gallons of paint
Oregonians have recycled more than 10 million gallons of leftover paint through the nonprofit PaintCare.
The PaintCare program allows people to recycle paint for free, by dropping off leftover cans at sites across the state, mostly in paint and hardware stores.
Lauren Scher, Oregon and Washington Program Manager for PaintCare, which was established by paint manufacturers, said the first step is to always consider if paint can be reused. If not, recycling is the next best choice.
“Taking all that paint and making it into a new product, which then could be sold at a price point that is available to everybody,” Scher explained. “What we can’t recycle, we’ll make sure that it’s properly disposed of.”
Last year alone, Oregonians recycled nearly 650,000 gallons of paint, keeping it out of the waste stream and giving it a second life through recycling and reuse.
PaintCare has recycled almost 78 million gallons of paint through 11 programs nationwide since it launched in 2012. Scher noted PaintCare’s drop off sites are placed strategically throughout the state, with almost all Oregon residents living within 15 miles of one.
“By setting up more than 200 drop-off sites throughout the state, PaintCare made it easily accessible to all Oregonians,” Scher added.
To find the drop-off site nearby, visit PaintCare.org. Each site accepts up to five gallons, and some will take more. The program also offers free pick-up for businesses with 100 gallons or more of extra paint. (SOURCE)
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 Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and Oregon Trails Coalition will host eight virtual focus groups in May to better understand the needs of different types of trail users who use land and water trails throughout Oregon and not just at Oregon State Parks.
OPRD launched an online survey this month to collect feedback through April 30. The focus groups expand that effort and take a deeper dive into the needs of different trail users including mountain bikers, paddlers, hikers and adaptive equipment users.
The information from the survey and focus groups will help inform the Oregon Statewide Trails Plan, which provides guidance to OPRD as well as other federal, state, and local agencies and private sector partners. It outlines trends and issues, creates priorities for grant funding and recommends actions to improve trails over the next 10 years.
Participants can join the 90-minute Zoom sessions to provide feedback. Anyone interested in joining, can register in advance using the links below:
- May 5: OHV / ATV Focus Group Noon to 1:30 p.m.
- May 7: BIPOC Nature Network Trails Plan Focus Group Noon to 1:30 p.m.
- May 8: Mountain Biking and Bikepacking Focus Group 4-5:30 p.m.
- May 14: Adaptive Equipment Users and Disability Trails Plan Focus Group Noon to 1:30 p.m.
- May 15: Winter/Snow Trail Focus Group (Non-motorized and motorized) Noon to 1:30 p.m.
- May 27: Hiking, Trail Running, Backpacking, Equestrian User Focus Group 4:30- 6 p.m.
- May 29: Paddling (Flat water and Whitewater) Focus Group 4-5:30 p.m.
- Agency Partners Trails Plan Focus Group Meeting TBD.
Check the website for more information including updates such as the time and link for the agency partners trails plan focus group: https://www.oregontrailscoalition.org/post/oregon-state-trails-plan-share-your-trail-user-experience-in-focus-groups-this-may
A state-funded matched savings program has helped low-income Oregonians for more than 25 years and backers said it needs more funding to continue.
Participants in the Oregon Individual Development Account Initiative save money toward specific goals like buying a home or vehicle, or going to college, while working with local nonprofits. Once they reach their savings goal, the state matches it at a 5-1 ratio, helping build long-term financial stability.
Abi Brambila, a first-generation college graduate and small business owner, credits the program for the financial support to make college possible, and its budgeting classes for giving her confidence.
“These skills are going to take you further than any amount of money,” Brambila pointed out. “For me, it really has been life-changing, and I do believe that other people deserve to get into a program like this.”
Despite rising costs for goals like education and homeownership, program funding has remained flat for 15 years. Advocates are asking the legislature to update the funding to reflect inflation.
Cameron Herrington, director of policy and advocacy for the nonprofit Neighborhood Partnerships, which helps distribute the funds, said lawmakers have two options to shore up the program’s funding: raise the cap on its main tax credit or dedicate some lottery revenue.
Herrington noted the program has helped more than 19,000 low-income Oregonians since it started, but cannot continue at its current pace without more support. He added both bills have bipartisan backing statewide.
“It’s a matter of the budget writers at the legislature stepping up to the plate now and fixing the funding,” Herrington emphasized. “It’s overdue but we’ve set it up for them to make an easy decision to keep this program strong for the future.”
Both bills to increase funding are in committee. Backers of the initiative said it helps bridge the growing income gap in the state, as well as the racial wealth gap. Data show the top 1% of earners in the state have more income than the bottom 50% of Oregonians combined. (SOURCE)
The Oregon House has unanimously approved legislation aimed at enhancing confidentiality protections for mental health services.
Proponents argue that the inclusion of peer support services will benefit firefighters, law enforcement personnel, and 9-1-1 dispatchers in need of trauma assistance.
This bill has garnered support from various first responder organizations, such as the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association and the Association of Chiefs of Police, and is now set to be reviewed by the Senate.
The state of Salem may impose severe penalties on Oregon’s power companies if they are determined to be negligent or responsible for igniting a wildfire.
Senate Bill 926 seeks to prohibit private electric companies from recouping costs associated with wildfire lawsuits if a court finds them negligent in causing a fire.
State Senator Jeff Golden, a Democrat from Ashland and a proponent of the bill, asserts that electric companies must provide compensation to the affected parties before addressing any financial obligations to their shareholders. Senator Golden emphasizes that numerous Oregonians continue to face challenges stemming from the 2020 wildfires, and this legislation prioritizes the needs of wildfire victims.
Senate Bill 926 enjoys bipartisan support and had a public hearing last month, although it has yet to be scheduled for a vote.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has reinstated the commercial rock crab fishery along the northern coastline, extending from the California/Oregon border to the entrance of Humboldt Bay.
This decision follows a closure that lasted nearly ten years due to a domoic acid outbreak. The fishery was initially shut down in 2015 as a precaution during the most significant domoic acid outbreak recorded on the west coast.
Recent testing has verified that the levels of domoic acid in rock crabs are now below federal action thresholds, permitting the fishery’s reopening. Over the years, commercial fishermen have submitted rock crab samples, which contributed to this decision. The last reopening in this region took place in May 2019.
The CDFW advises fishery participants to refrain from setting gear in the presence of whales to reduce the risk of entanglement and encourages best fishing practices, such as minimizing slack surface line.
Deliberately using a drone to obstruct first responders would constitute a Class C felony, according to legislation approved by the Oregon House.
Conversely, unintentional disruption of police, firefighting, or search and rescue efforts would be classified as a Class B Misdemeanor. The bill received unanimous approval from Oregon’s House and has been forwarded to the state Senate.
Next year, the average inflation-adjusted student tuition cost for Oregon residents attending the state’s seven public universities is projected to be nearly 30% higher than it was ten years ago, due to proposed or approved increases by each university board for the upcoming academic year.
The seven public universities in Oregon—Eastern Oregon University, Oregon State University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, University of Oregon, and Western Oregon University—are all expected to implement tuition hikes ranging from 3% to 5% for the 2025-26 academic year.
This follows a trend of annual tuition increases at each institution over the past decade. Any tuition hikes exceeding 5%, including mandatory fees such as student health fees, necessitate approval from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission.
Ben Cannon, the commission’s executive director, indicated via email that the commission does not anticipate any tuition increase proposals surpassing 5%, based on the information received from the universities.
The tuition increases are attributed to rising labor costs and inflation affecting various expenses, including teaching materials, utility costs, and insurance, as stated by university representatives. Cannon further noted that inadequate levels of state funding are also contributing to the rising costs of enrollment.
The Oregon Department of Transportation is in the process of revising curve warning signs.
According to ODOT, advancements in vehicle technology, along with updated national standards, necessitate a reassessment of Oregon’s curve signs and advisory speed limits. Consequently, some signs may be deemed unnecessary, while others may be enlarged.
OHA to issue algae warnings when dog deaths reported
As summer approaches, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reminds people heading outdoors to enjoy the state’s lakes, rivers and reservoirs to be on the look-out for potentially toxic cyanobacteria blooms.
To help, OHA is adding a tool reporting the possible presence of cyanobacteria in freshwater lakes and rivers statewide. Starting immediately, OHA will issue pre-emptive public warnings following reports of dog illnesses or deaths possibly resulting from cyanotoxin exposure.
“Each year, we receive reports about dog illnesses or deaths linked to a water body that may be affected by cyanobacteria, but the deaths are often unexplained, or the cause of the death isn’t immediately known,” said Linda Novitski, Ph.D., a recreational waters specialist in OHA’s Environmental Public Health Section.
“These pre-emptive warnings will help us immediately takes steps to inform the public about the possible presence of cyanobacteria in a water body,” she said.
Toxin testing is only possible for certain types of cyanobacteria. When testing is done, results are typically available within two weeks.
Cyanobacteria are beneficial bacteria found in all fresh water worldwide. The bacteria can multiply into blooms in any water body under the right conditions—warm weather, sunlight, water temperature, nutrients and water chemistry.
Many blooms are harmless, but some can produce cyanotoxins that make people and animals sick. Exposure to cyanotoxins occurs when water or algae mat material is swallowed while swimming, or when people inhale water droplets during high-speed activities such as water-skiing or wakeboarding. Symptoms of exposure to cyanotoxins include:
- Diarrhea
- Cramps
- Vomiting
- Numbness
- Dizziness and fainting
Although cyanotoxins are not known to be absorbed through the skin, people with sensitive skin can develop a red, raised rash when wading, playing or swimming in or around a bloom.
Some species of cyanobacteria live in the water or float on the top of the water surface. Other cyanobacteria, called cyanoHAB mats, anchor themselves to the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or grow on rocks or aquatic plants can release toxins into clear water. These bloom mats contain toxins that, if ingested, can be fatal to dogs and can make people sick.
Dogs can get extremely ill, and even die, within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water. Problem signs include licking their fur or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore.
If, after swimming in a lake or stream, a dog exhibits symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, breathing problems, difficulty walking or standing, or loss of appetite, owners should get their pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
“Enjoying lakes and rivers is such an important part of the Oregon experience,” said Novitski. “To have fun and stay safe this season, protect small children and dogs by avoiding anything you think might be a cyanobacteria harmful algae bloom in the water or in a mat attached to the bottom of the lake or river.”
Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins it released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving toxins behind.
OHA advises recreational visitors to always be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms in the water and in mats attached to the ground or rocks. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable.
Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.
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.
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.
The tenth anniversary season of ‘In a Landscape, Classical Music in the Wild’ commences in May and continues until September.
This season will feature 50 concerts showcasing classical music at two locations in Lake County: Summer Lake and Fort Rock, as well as the Alvord Desert. The Summer Lake concert is titled ‘Dark Sky Concert,’ as Summer Lake is recognized as an Oregon Dark Sky Park.
The performance at Fort Rock State Park is scheduled for September 13, followed by the Summer Lake Hot Springs concert on September 14.
Additionally, a performance near Jacksonville at Applegate Lake will take place on May 30, and another at the Alvord Desert on June 21.
The Fort Rock concert will start at 4 p.m. and conclude around 5:30 p.m., while the Summer Lake Hot Springs concert will begin at 9 p.m. and last approximately 1.5 hours due to the Dark Sky designation.
Tickets for individual concerts are priced at $50, or $135 for both performances, which includes two nights of camping at Summer Lake Hot Springs, with the camping fee charged per person. ‘Good neighbor’ tickets are also available for residents of Lake County.
Pianist Hunter Noack is curating a new program for this tour, which will encompass 50 concerts across six Western states: Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.
The performances will take place at 10 new venues, including the recently reopened Kah-Nee-Ta in central Oregon. Noack will perform on a 9-foot Steinway concert grand piano.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs to sit near the stage, and wireless headphones will allow them to explore the surroundings while enjoying the music, creating a unique experience in the wild, particularly at Fort Rock, the Alvord Desert, and Summer Lake Hot Springs.
The series will kick off on May 10 in Goldendale, Washington, at the Maryhill Museum of Art. Tickets for the public can be purchased through the In A Landscape website at https://inalandscape.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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