Rogue Valley News, Monday 5/5 – Local Veterans Return From Trip to D.C. with Honor Flight of Oregon, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians Host Two Discussions around the MMIP/MMIW Movement This Week & Other Local and Statewide News…

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.

This case remains important to David’s family, the community, and the Ashland Police Department. As detectives continue to pursue these new leads, anyone with additional information is encouraged to reach out to the Ashland Police Department at 541-488-2211. The reward for information leading to an arrest on this case remains at over $21,000.

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

https://original.newsbreak.com/@ada-e-1668135/3304227455096-fauna-frey-45-disappeared-in-oregon-on-a-road-trip-june-29-2020-following-her-brother-s-death

PART 2 – Newsweek Podcast Focusing on The Disappearance of Fauna Frey From Lane County

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

The 80th anniversary commemorating the tragic event in which a pregnant woman and five young children from Bly lost their lives due to a Japanese balloon bomb will be observed through a series of events.

On Monday, May 5, the actual anniversary of the incident, a memorial program will take place at the Mitchell Monument, located 13 miles from Bly, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

This incident marks the only fatalities on the continental United States during World War II, occurring when the group was picnicking near Gearhart Mountain, approximately 13 miles from Bly, and accidentally triggered the bomb.

K.C. Winters, the author of “One Balloon: Silent Attack on the American Homeland,” will present about her family and her book at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 2, at the Klamath County Museum. The next day, May 3, at 1 p.m., Winters will further discuss her book at the Oberchain Community Center in Bly, with the program being facilitated by David Prantner from the Standing Stone Church.

This event, organized by the Fremont-Winema National Forest’s Bly Ranger District, aims to remember and pay tribute to the six individuals who perished due to the bomb, with Winters expected to be in attendance.

The long-delayed deadline for REAL ID is now 2 days 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.

Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony to Honor Fallen Officers

The annual Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem. The ceremony honors the state’s law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

The names of three fallen officers were added to the memorial last month as an honor guard stood watch: Patrolman Andrew J. Laugeson of the Portland Police Bureau, end of watch May 12, 1917; Policeman George M. Lowe of the Ashland Police Department, end of watch March 3, 1919; and Assistant Chief Merle W. Bethscheider of the Silverton Police Department, end of watch May 29, 1965.

Patrolman Laugeson, Policeman Lowe, Asssistant Chief Bethscheider, and 196 previously fallen officers will be honored during the ceremony at the academy, located at 4190 Aumsville Highway SE in Salem.

The ceremony is a significant event that the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is proud to host each year in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and Oregon’s various statewide law enforcement associations.

### About DPSST – The mission of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is to pursue excellence in training and accountability for public safety professionals.

DPSST certifies and licenses police, corrections, and parole and probation officers, as well as regulatory specialists, emergency telecommunicators and medical dispatchers, criminal justice instructors, private security providers, private investigators, fire service professionals, and polygraph examiners in the state of Oregon.  DPSST works with public and private safety agencies around the state to provide basic, leadership and specialized training at the 237-acre Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem and regionally throughout the state.

For more information on the Oregon Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Memorial, please visit https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/Memorials/LawEnforcement/Pages/default.aspx.

Remains of Missing Woman Found in Harney County

The Harney County Sheriff’s Office announced that the remains of 29-year-old Kaylee Birt have been found.

Birt was last seen leaving The Fields Station in her car on April 4, 2025. Volunteer searchers discovered the remains on Saturday, and they have been positively identified as belonging to Birt.

The sheriff’s office expressed gratitude to the volunteers who contributed to the search efforts. “We would like to express our deep appreciati

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, and many of them are still missing to this day.

Oregon National Guard Holds Ceremony for Soldiers Deploying to Horn of Africa

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon National Guard held a mobilization ceremony for Soldiers with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) at the Salem Armory Auditorium, May 4, 2025, in Salem.

Approximately 220 Soldiers with the 41st IBCT are preparing to mobilize to the Horn of Africa to join Task Force BATAAN in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek addressed attendees, thanking Soldiers and their families for their commitment and sacrifice. “I know you will rise to any challenge ahead of you and continue to set the bar high,” Kotek said.

Task Force BATAAN is comprised of Soldiers from Oregon, New Mexico, Washington, and Louisiana. They will be serving in Djibouti, Kenya and Somalia in support of CJTF-HOA and JSOTF-SOM. The primary mission will be to conduct security and base defense operations.

A ban on book bans: Oregon bill would protect access to library materials

Senate Bill 1098 aims to prevent removal of books about protected classes in Oregon

Oregon lawmakers are taking steps to protect access to library materials written by diverse authors or that include themes of race, gender or sexual orientation.

On Wednesday afternoon, the House Education Committee heard public comments on Senate Bill 1098, which would prohibit schools and library districts from removing books with stories about religion, disability, LGBTQ+ issues or other characteristics of a protected class in Oregon’s anti-discrimination law in public education.

As Republican lawmakers across the U.S. have passed laws to restrict access to certain books and limit discussions around diversity, equity, and inclusion, Democratic Oregon lawmakers are taking steps to ensure that books by diverse authors remain accessible to readers.

The bill does not remove existing standards for determining if a book is appropriate, but it adds the additional requirement that a book cannot be excluded or removed because of the perspective it represents, said bill sponsor Sen. Lew Frederick, D-Portland.

“If folks only allege there’s inappropriate material when that material is by or about a protected class, then that’s when there’s a problem,” Frederick said.

Public libraries and schools saw more attempts to remove books between July 2023 and 2024 than in any year since the Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse at the State Library began tracking challenges. Nearly 90% of those challenges were to books written by or about underrepresented groups, according to a letter State Librarian Wendy Cornelisen submitted to lawmakers.

This is the second time Frederick brings this bill to the statehouse. Frederick proposed a similar bill last year, which passed the Senate in a 17-12 vote, but the bill died as the five-week 2024 legislative session ended. This year’s attempt passed the Senate on nearly a party-line 18-10 vote, with Sen. Dick Anderson, R-Lincoln City, voting in support of the bill. It awaits action in the House.

Most of the fifteen people who signed up to speak to the committee supported the bill, including several parents, an author and representatives from LGBTQ+ and library advocacy groups such as ACLU of Oregon and the Oregon Library Association.

“This bill is a tool to save Oregon schools and parents’ time and energy,” said Bridget Tyler, a Corvallis parent. “It doesn’t take power away from parents. It sets limits that prevent people who don’t have children in our kids’ schools from interfering in our choices.”

Three Republican lawmakers spoke in opposition to the bill, including Sen. Noah Robinson, R-Cave Junction, who said he is concerned that public school libraries carry inappropriate materials that are “sexually explicit” and have “heavy profanity.”

Rep. Emily McIntire, R-Eagle Point, said the bill is redundant because schools already must follow non-discrimination policies.

Rep. Dwayne Yunker, R-Grants Pass, said the bill would silence parents and school boards who raise concerns about education materials presented in Oregon public schools.

The committee will decide whether to advance the bill during a work session at a later date. From there, it would need a vote by the full House and then head to Gov. Tina Kotek, who could choose to veto the bill, sign it into law, or allow it to become law without her signature. Upon becoming law, the bill would take effect immediately.

Editor’s Note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Senate Bill 1098 did not pass the Senate on a full party-line vote. (SOURCE)

New report: High costs, low pay from insurers, and onerous regulation push Oregon hospitals to the brink

A new Hospital Association of Oregon report shows that hospitals are financially unstable, threatening the future of patient care in Oregon communities. Almost half of the state’s hospitals operated at a loss in 2024, and others barely broke even.

“Oregon’s hospitals are on the brink,” said Becky Hultberg, Hospital Association of Oregon president and CEO. “They face a perfect storm of soaring expenses, complex and costly regulations, and payments that don’t cover the cost of care. And federal Medicaid changes contemplated by Congress could tip some hospitals over the edge.”

The report highlights that while hospitals across the country were challenged during the pandemic and are now stabilizing, Oregon hospitals remain on unstable footing.

“It’s becoming clear that Oregon hospitals operate in one of the most challenging environments in the country, shaped by a tough regulatory landscape and payments that don’t come close to covering the double-digit increases we’ve seen in expenses from salaries and benefits,” she said. “Patients are struggling to find doctors, wait times to see a doctor are long, and emergency departments are overcrowded. This is a result of the policy choices the state has made and insufficient payment from insurers.”

In this challenging environment, Oregon hospitals have been pushed to make difficult decisions including cutting more than 800 jobs, seeking partnerships to shore up operations, reducing or divesting from services, and fundraising to replace broken or outdated equipment. This is a trend that is likely to continue without shifts in health policy and increasing payments to hospitals to cover the cost of providing care.

Medicaid—the state’s largest insurer—is contributing to hospitals’ financial distress. The state only pays hospitals 56 cents on the dollar for caring for Medicaid patients. Additionally, hospitals are subject to onerous state rules and regulations that demand resources for compliance, reduce revenue, and increase operating expenses for hospitals.

Hospitals’ financial instability not only jeopardizes access to care but also threatens the economic stability of communities statewide. Oregon’s 61 hospitals serve as a crucial economic engine, generating $32.4 billion in economic impact and supporting 160,000 jobs—including 70,000 direct hospital employees.

“In this pivotal moment for hospitals, policymakers and community leaders cannot afford to ignore what’s happening in Oregon,” Hultberg said. “The choices the state makes are forcing the trade-off of services that our families, friends, and neighbors depend on.”

Read more about the state of Oregon’s hospitals in the Hospital Association of Oregon’s new report: Oregon Hospitals on the Brink.

Media availability:

• Hospital Association of Oregon President and CEO Becky Hultberg will be available to speak to the media between 1-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 1
• PNGs of graphics from the report are also available upon request

About the Hospital Association of Oregon

Founded in 1934, the Hospital Association of Oregon Association (HAO) is a mission-driven, nonprofit trade association representing Oregon’s 61 hospitals. Together, hospitals are the sixth largest private employer statewide, employing 70,000 employees. Committed to fostering a stronger, safer, more equitable Oregon where all people have access to the high-quality care they need, the hospital association supports Oregon’s hospitals so they can support their communities; educates government officials and the public on the state’s health landscape and works collaboratively with policymakers, community based organizations and the health care community to build consensus on and advance health care policy benefiting the state’s four million residents.

Door and window manufacturer Jeld-Wen has issued a notice of closure for its factory in Chiloquin, which has 128 employees.

Jeld-Wen, which since it sold to a Canadian firm and hasn’t done well over recent years, notified state employment officials of its plan Thursday. The company indicated layoffs will begin June 30 and be complete by December. The Chiloquin factory makes interior, steel, fiberglass and custom doors.

According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification submitted to the state of Oregon, the plant’s closing affects 104 production employees, seven management positions and four support staff members.

On Dec. 1, the remaining 13 employees will be cut.

A spokesperson with the company, Katie Lykins, said in an email, “While decisions that impact people are never easy, we make them only after careful consideration and with the understanding that our actions today are necessary to position Jeld-Wen for long-term success.”

Founded by Richard (Dick) Wendt in Klamath Falls, the company moved its headquarters to Charlotte, N.C., in 2015, shortly after being sold to a private equity firm in Canada. It has since gone public and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Its share price has collapsed, from nearly $20 a share a year ago to $5.58 at Thursday’s close.

Jeld-Wen sales fell 12% last year, to $3.8 billion, and the company reported a $189 million loss.

Jeld-Wen closed a factory in Atlanta in 2023. Last year, it also announced plans to close facilities in Alabama and Denmark and to “right-size” other factories.

It had 16,000 employees worldwide at the end of 2024, and only 10,000 left in North America.

Oregon’s manufacturing sector has been in decline for nearly three years, shedding approximately 13,000 jobs.  In Klamath County, the unemployment rate is 6.3% — nearly 2 points above the statewide rate.

Oregon Declares May 18–25, 2025, Volcano Awareness Week in Recognition of the 45th Anniversary of the Mount St. Helens Eruption

SALEM, Ore. – On May 18, 1980, the ground shook, the sky turned black, and Mount St. Helens exploded in what remains the most destructive volcanic eruption in U.S. history. Fifty-seven lives were lost, thousands of animals perished, entire forests were flattened, and over 200 homes were destroyed. The eruption caused an estimated $1.5 billion in damage. The eruption reshaped landscapes sparked years of scientific study and reinforced the importance of disaster readiness.

Now, 45 years later, Oregon’s Governor Tina Kotek is commemorating this significant event by proclaiming May 18–25, 2025, Volcano Awareness Week — a time not only for remembrance, but for readiness.

Led by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), the proclamation seeks to educate residents and visitors about volcanic hazards and preparedness efforts across the state and serves as a crucial reminder: the Pacific Northwest is still very much an active volcanic zone.

“Oregon is home to several active volcanoes, and awareness is key to protecting communities and ensuring public safety,” said OEM Director Erin McMahon. “Volcano Awareness Week serves as an opportunity to learn about preparedness, mitigation, and response strategies while recognizing the ongoing monitoring efforts that keep people informed.”

Living in a Land of Fire: Understanding Oregon’s Volcanic Risks

The Cascade Range — the snow-capped mountains many Oregonians and Washingtonians know and love — is part of a 1,300 km (800 mile) chain of volcanoes stretching from northern California to southern British Columbia. These dramatic peaks, formed by the slow collision and subduction of tectonic plates, include some of the most well-known and still-active volcanoes in the country.

In Oregon alone, we have five potentially active volcanoes: 

• Mount Hood
• Mount Jefferson
• Newberry Volcano
• Three Sisters
• Crater Lake (Mount Mazama)

They are among the ten active Cascade volcanoes monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Volcano Early Warning System — a program designed to detect and alert officials to signs of volcanic unrest before an eruption occurs.

DOGAMI, in coordination with the U.S. Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory, plays a critical role in providing scientific data to support disaster preparedness. “Oregon’s rocks record a long-lived legacy of volcanism. Volcanoes offer stunning beauty, but also present potential risks to nearby communities”, said DOGAMI Geological Survey and Services Program Manager Jason McClaughry. “Creating detailed geologic and hazard maps combined with data from modern monitoring tools allows both DOGAMI and CVO to understand the volcanic history of Oregon and to help communities prepare for future volcanic hazards.”

Why Volcano Awareness Week Matters

This week is a joint effort between the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), and partners like the USGS and the Washington State Emergency Management Division. Together, they’re working to raise public awareness about volcanic hazards — and more importantly, how Oregonians can prepare for them.

OEM and DOGAMI, in collaboration with local governments and scientific organizations, will conduct public outreach efforts, social media campaigns, and educational initiatives throughout the week, including:

• Understanding volcanic hazards such as ashfall, landslides, lahars, and pyroclastic flows.
• Reviewing evacuation routes and emergency response plans (visit TripCheck.com)
• Monitoring volcanic activity through USGS alerts and OR-Alerts.
• Preparing emergency kits with food, water, respiratory protection, and communication devices.

Upcoming Anniversary Related events: 

• Wednesday, May 7 | 6:30 p.m.
  45th Eruptiversary Views & Brews: Voices of the Volcano (In-Person AND Virtual)
• Saturday, May 10 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Cascades Volcano Observatory Open House
• Thursday May 15 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  A Reddit Ask-Me-Anything session with experts from USGS and the states of Oregon and Washington
• Sunday, May 18 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  45th Anniversary Event with USFS at the Coldwater Science and Learning Center
• Saturday, May 24 | 3:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
  OPB Event at OMSI – Sharing of OPB Field Guide episode and panel discussion
• The official web cam for Mount. St. Helens is also back online, with its power restored for the first time in a nearly two years.
• See more historic photos of the eruption on the US Forest Service’s Historic Mount St. Helen’s Flcker page.

Even though volcanic eruptions are rare, their impacts can be swift and widespread. Awareness and preparedness can mean the difference between chaos and calm in the face of an eruption.

“Preparedness saves lives,” McMahon added. “By learning about volcanic hazards and response measures, Oregonians can help protect themselves, their families, and their communities.”

Be 2 Weeks Ready

Emergency preparedness starts at home. OEM encourages all residents to Be2WeeksReady — a campaign that promotes having enough supplies, water, food, and critical items to survive on your own for two weeks after a disaster. This is especially important during volcanic events, when roads may be impassable and air quality may be hazardous.

Here are some key preparedness tips for volcanic hazards:

• Know your local hazards. If you live near any of Oregon’s volcanoes, understand what type of hazards might affect your area. DOGAMI and OEM offer resources and maps to help you assess risk.
• Stay informed. Sign up for USGS volcano notifications sign-up for OR-Alerts, and make sure the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled on your phone.
• Follow evacuation levels. Oregon uses a three-level evacuation system:
  • Level 1: Be Ready – Stay aware and prepare to leave.
  • Level 2: Be Set – Be packed and ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
  • Level 3: Go Now! – Leave immediately for your safety.
• Make a plan. Know your evacuation routes and how you’ll communicate with loved ones if you become separated. Learn more with OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready Toolkit.
• Help others. Check on neighbors, especially those who may need extra assistance.

​For more details on how to prepare for volcanic hazards, visit the U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards page. Residents are encouraged to follow OEM and DOGAMIonline for up-to-date information, safety resources, and emergency alerts.

Explore More:

• USGS Volcano Hazards Program
• National Volcano Early Warning System
• DOGAMI – Oregon Geologic Hazard Resources
• OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready Toolkit
• Make Preparedness Fun: Engaging Kids in Emergency Readiness
• Making Preparedness Fun: Explaining Volcano Evacuations to Kids
• Kids Volcano Activity Guide
• Social Media Toolkit
• US Forest Service’s Historic Mount St. Helen’s historic photos

# # # 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.

You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille, or a format you prefer. For assistance, email licInfo@oem.oregon.gov” target=”_blank” title=”Email OEM Public Affairs”>OEM_PublicInfo@oem.oregon.gov. We accept all relay calls, or you can dial 711.

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 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.

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.

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 anonline surveythis 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