The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com

Monday – September 29, 2025

Rogue Valley Weather

https://graphical.weather.gov/sectors/oregon.php

 

Drivers across southern Oregon will face slick roads and possible delays as heavy rain continues into Wednesday, October 1. The first significant fall storm of the season is bringing steady showers, gusty winds, and a heightened risk of hydroplaning on I-5 near Medford. Travelers are urged to slow down and leave extra space during the morning commute.

According to the National Weather Service, showers are expected to intensify Monday afternoon with a 90% chance of rain and winds shifting northwest. By Tuesday night, gusts could reach 18 mph, and storm bands will continue to drop up to a quarter inch of rain in parts of Jackson County. Conditions will remain unsettled until Wednesday morning when drier air begins to move in.

Medford, Ashland, and Central Point will see the brunt of the impact, especially during peak travel times. Rainfall will keep roads slick and could reduce visibility for drivers on Highway 62 and I-5. Commuters should plan for longer drive times, check headlights, and avoid sudden lane changes in standing water.

 

 

09/29/2025 Junction Inn Fire in Cave Junction
Illinois Valley Fire District 

 

 

9/25 – ALERT: Effective immediately, the Wild and Scenic section of the lower Rogue River will be closed due to increased fire activity from the Moon Complex.

There is now active fire behavior on both sides of the river and predicted significant weather events. This emergency closure is being enacted for firefighter and public safety. All recreational use of the Wild Section (Grave Creek to Foster Bar) of the river will be prohibited until conditions improve. The BLM Oregon & Washington Medford District will not issue permits until it is safe to do so. We understand the impact this closure has to the river recreation community.

If you have a permit during the closure period, please contact the BLM permit office at (541) 618-2408 or email BLM_OR_MD_Rogue_River_Mail@blm.gov.The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management are working in coordination with Northwest Incident Management Team 13 to mitigate fire-related risks along the river. The permitting agencies will re-open the river as soon as possible. Please respect this closure area and check back for updates. For updates and additional information on the Moon Complex, follow https://www.facebook.com/SWORFireInfo or check Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orrsf-moon-complexTo see the official closure order and map, visit the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Alerts page.

State Fire Marshal Mobilizes Resources as Conflagration Invoked For Moon Complex Fire

The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing four task forces and its Green Incident Management Team to the Moon Complex in Curry County. The lightning-caused fire grew significantly Friday, pushed by strong winds, and is threatening homes and critical infrastructure near the communities of Agness and Illahe. In total, six structural task forces are mobilized to fire.

The Curry County Sherrif’s Office has levels 2 and 3 evacuation notices in place for several areas around the fire. Please follow the local sheriff’s office for evacuation information.

The state fire marshal resources will join two task forces sent through Immediate Response on Saturday morning, mobilized from Rogue Valley and Lane County.

“Challenging weather conditions yesterday pushed the fire into new areas and local resources need extra help protecting people, homes, and critical infrastructure,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “This is a good reminder that we are still in fire season and ask everyone to stay aware and do everything they can to prevent sparking a wildfire.”

This is the eighth time the Emergency Conflagration Act has been invoked in 2025.

 

9/27/25, 10:08 hrs. (MERLIN) — A load of grapes were anonymously deposited in the intersection of Lower River Road and Robertson Bridge Road, causing a traffic hazard.

Rural Metro Firefighters mitigated the slippery surface with a high pressure wash down. Thankfully it resulted in no crashes.

 

 

 

 

Time is running out to visit and experience Crater Lake. The Cleetwood Cove Trail, which is the sole route to the lake, is currently open but will be closing for up to three years for reconstruction.

Crater Lake’s Cleetwood Cove Trail, the park’s only access to the lake’s shore, will close in summer 2026 for a three-year rehabilitation project and will remain closed until at least 2029, meaning this is the last opportunity to access the lake from the trail. The project will address safety hazards, improve the trail and marina, and upgrade facilities, but the rest of the National Park will remain open for visitors to enjoy lake overlooks, forests, and other trails.  What to Expect

• The Trail’s Closure: The Cleetwood Cove Trail will be closed for reconstruction starting in the summer of 2026 and is expected to be closed for three years, with the project scheduled to be completed by 2029.
• Why It’s Closing: The closure is necessary for major safety improvements, including rockfall scaling to remove hazardous rocks, and to address erosion on the trail.
• New Infrastructure: The project will also include replacing the damaged marina with a new floating dock and pier, as well as upgrading restrooms and adding a ticket booth for boat tours.
• Limited Access: During the construction period, there will be no access to the lake shore from this trail, and consequently, no swimming or boat tours.
• Park Still Open: While the trail and lake access will be restricted, Crater Lake National Park itself will remain open to visitors, with 24-hour access.
• What to Do Instead: Visitors can still enjoy other parts of the park by exploring lake overlooks, hiking other trails through the forest, and discovering hidden waterfalls.
• More Information: For the latest updates and details on the rehabilitation project, visit the official Crater Lake National Park website. https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm

 

Tickets are on sale now for this year’s Ashland New Plays Festival  Fall Festival!

Learn more about each play and get your tickets today by going to our website at ashlandnewplays.org/fall-festival/fall-festival-tickets/

While you’re there, you can also learn more about the playwright, director, and cast for each reading. You can even sign-up for this year’s Playing with Words playwriting workshop, led by 2025 Host Playwrights E.M. Lewis and Victor Lesniewski.

Interested in seeing all the winning plays? Be sure to check out our 2025 Fall Festival Pass and get a discount on your ticket purchase!

We hope to see you next month at ANPF’s 2025 Fall Festival!

Oregon’s First Licensed Outdoor Preschool Opens in Phoenix

Blackberry Academy has opened under a new state licensing program.

Blue Heron Park in Phoenix has playgrounds, a pollinator garden and access to Bear Creek.

Now, an area among the trees has become a classroom for preschoolers.

Oregon recently began licensing outdoor, nature-based child care programs, one of only a few states to do so.

Yessie Joy Verbena recently opened the first one, called Blackberry Academy.

Yessie Joy Verbena/Blackberry Academy Outdoor School

Children playing at a Blackberry Academy day camp.

She said spending time outside is how childhood is supposed to be.

“I always joke with families, if there aren’t any walls, they can’t bounce off of them,” she said. “If you’re outside, outside voice! It’s okay, go for it, yell, scream, jump, climb the tree, be yourself. Explore the full range of who you are as a tiny little person. And it’s wonderful.”

Verbena said outdoor play is important for kids’ development, allowing them freedom, creativity and relaxation. As someone with a difficult childhood, she wants to help other children from underprivileged backgrounds.

“Time spent outside is so good for us in every aspect: physically, emotionally, spiritually,” she said. “It’s just got these healing powers.”

Verbena said these programs previously operated in Oregon under a different status with stricter requirements. The license allows her more freedom and funding options, making the preschool more accessible.

For instance, families can now use a subsidy program called the Employment Related Day Care program to pay for outdoor, nature-based preschool.

Jane Vaughan/JPR A structure kids recently built in the woods at Blackberry Academy.

At Blackberry Academy, kids spend their days playing, exploring and learning about local wildlife.

“We’ve got a resident beaver. We have river otters, North American pine martens, bald eagles fly overhead,” Verbena said. “It’s right here in the middle of town and yet teeming with wildlife.”

The city has an informal agreement with Verbena to operate in the park.

She previously operated day camps and also offers a toddler program with caregiver participation.

Blackberry Academy has room for 14 kids and operates from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Families can sign up for two or four days a week. There are two spots left for children to sign up.  (SOURCE)

 

JCSO Case 24-4928

PROSPECT, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives and Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel continue to search for a woman missing out of Prospect, Ore. since September 2024. Deenah Padgett, 69, was reported missing on Sunday, September 8, 2024. She was last seen camping in the Prospect area on September 4, 2024. She is described as a white woman with brownish-red, partially gray hair, standing 4’8” tall and weighing 90-100 lbs.

JCSO detectives and SAR personnel have searched the area extensively and are looking for the public’s help. If you see Deenah or know her whereabouts, immediately call ECSO Dispatch at (541) 776-7206 and reference case 24-4928. If you have any information that might help the investigation, call Detective Friend at (541) 864-8774.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

The Oregon Vortex tourist attraction located in Gold Hill has announced a closure that may extend for the remainder of the year.

The Oregon Vortex offers guided tours through a site rich in history and mystery. Staff members have indicated that the area is partially above ground and partially below ground, leading to unusual phenomena. However, due to urgent repairs that are required, the well-known attraction is currently closed. As stated on their Facebook page, engineers and contractors have reported that the rocks from the nearby Sardine Creek pose a risk to both the gift shop and visitors.

Repairs can only take place from June to September 15th, due to the presence of a protected salmon habitat. Consequently, the Vortex will remain closed for the rest of the year or until it is deemed safe to reopen. For updates, you can visit the Oregon Vortex Facebook page.

 

Popular Jewelry and Metalsmithing Classes Return to RCC

GRANTS PASS — Rogue Community College (RCC) announces the return of Jewelry and Metalsmithing classes to the Redwood Campus this fall, back by popular demand after a two-year hiatus.

Beginning and advanced courses are available, giving students the opportunity to learn essential techniques such as cutting, texturing, riveting, lost-wax casting and silver soldering. Participants will design and create their own one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces—perfect for personal wear or gifts.

Two “just for fun” courses will be offered through RCC Community Education: The beginner class will meet Tuesdays from 5-7 p.m. starting Oct. 7, and the advanced class will meet Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. starting Oct. 9. The cost is $179 per term.

A credit-bearing option is available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-3:50 p.m. The cost for in-state tuition and fees is $444. If space is available, Oregon residents age 62+ who are not seeking college credit may qualify for a tuition waiver through the Lifelong Learner Program.

Sign up for Community Education courses at roguecc.edu/ce. For questions, contact Sara Cook at 541-956-7303 or communityeducation@roguecc.edu.

For information about for-credit registration or the Lifelong Learner Program, contact Admissions & Recruitment at 541-956-7217.

More Ceramics Classes Offered at RCC Redwood Campus This Fall

GRANTS PASS — Rogue Community College (RCC) is expanding its popular Redwood Campus ceramics courses this fall, offering more class times and options for both college students and community members.

Classes are available at multiple levels—beginning through advanced—and may be taken for college credit or personal enrichment through Community Education. Morning and afternoon sessions are available. Classes meet twice a week during fall term, Sept. 29 through Dec. 12.

Guided by instructors Debra Abarca and Juan Santiago, students will learn hand-building, wheel-throwing, glazing and firing techniques such as horsehair, Raku, mid-fire electric and stoneware. Materials are estimated at $50.

The cost is $149 per term through Community Education. For college students seeking elective credits, in-state tuition and fees for these three-credit courses are $444.

Located downtown for many years, RCC’s ceramics classes are now offered in the Z Building at Redwood Campus.

Registration through Community Education is open now at roguecc.edu/ce. For questions, contact Sara Cook at 541-956-7303 or email communityeducation@roguecc.edu.

 

Students enrolled at RCC may register directly through their myRogue account or contact Admissions & Recruitment at 541-956-7217 with any questions.

 

Win 2 Nights Lodging in Oakridge and enjoy “Oakridge Rocks The Park!”! Coming Oct 18th!

Click here to win 2 nights stay in Oakridge! —– Click here for more info on the event.

 Young Entrepreneurs of Jackson County! Did the 2020 wildfires set your business back? Need a boost to grow your hustle?

IVCanDO has grants of up to $15,000 for microbusinesses (5 or fewer employees) impacted by the fires.

Whether you’re running a shop, creative studio, food truck, or anything in between — this is for YOU.

𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:
Must be in Jackson County
Must have been affected or be addressing impacts caused by the 2020 Labor Day fires (South Obenchain and Almeda)
Use the money for gear, staff, or anything to level up your biz

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗡𝗢𝗪. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘁!

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘁: www.ivcdo.org/pier
𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀? 𝗗𝗠 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗿@𝗶𝘃𝗰𝗱𝗼.𝗼𝗿𝗴

The Illinois Valley Community Development Organization (IVCanDO) has received $950,000 through Oregon Housing and Community Services’ PIER Program as part of the ReOregon disaster recovery effort.

These funds are here to help small businesses and microenterprises (5 or fewer employees) who were impacted by the 2020 Labor Day fires (South Obenchain and Almeda).

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲:

Microenterprise Grants – Up to $15,000

Revolving Loan Fund – for business growth and recovery (coming soon!)

If you’re a small business owner in Jackson County, help is here.

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 & 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘄: www.ivcdo.org/pier

𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝘁!

 

 

 

Rogue Valley Humane Society

Please help! We are in need of large towels to help keep our animals clean and happy. Donations would be greatly appreciated and helpful. Please drop them off during business hours, Monday-Saturday, noon – 4 pm. Thank you so much for all you do to help us do what we do!

 

 

Sharing for our friends at Salvation Army:

Help Fill Our Food Pantry – Your Donations Make a Difference!

Hunger is a reality for many in our community, but together, we can make a change! Our food pantry is in need of non-perishable food items to help families struggling to put meals on the table.

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. .

 

Josephine Community Library District

Watch Us As We Are: Regional Libraries to get a look behind the scenes at the Grants Pass library and learn more about the current status of the lease negotiation.

 

Thank you to Southern Oregon PBS for covering the work of libraries in Jackson and Josephine Counties. https://www.pbs.org/video/regional-libraries-p1rsda/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJOeNFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHaiJj9hn5c-6mlagv27tk9pO11HVHjW3ymArvb5KWTY9CqAIlX7GR78jrA_aem_22nCxqmBJWlFLT0tVemobA

 

 

 

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

 

Ashland Rolls Out Free Pre-Approved Plans to Spur Residents into Building Affordable Backyard Homes

Seeking to promote affordability and support residents’ diverse needs, the city of Ashland has encouraged its citizens to develop accessory dwelling units (ADUs) within the city and offers guidance on getting plans approved.

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 here

 

 

 

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

Great news – you might still qualify for extra support through HARP.

OHCS HARP Website → bit.ly/45bHjzu

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

¿Recibiste ayuda de FEMA, del seguro o de otros organismos tras los Incendios de Almeda y South Obenchain 2020? Excelentes noticias: es posible que de todos modos reúnas los requisitos para recibir ayuda adicional a través de la asistencia de HARP.

OHCS HARP sitio web → https://www.oregon.gov/…/Pages/ReOregon-Homeowners.aspx

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.

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.

 

 

Fauna Frey Vanished Without A Trace In  Josephine County

It’s been five years since the disappearance of a Lane County Woman, who was last seen in Grants Pass. Back in June of 2020, Fauna Frey disappeared. Police said the 45-year-old left her home in Dexter to drive to Grants Pass to visit her brother’s friend after her brother had recently passed away. The last place she was seen was at the Big 5 in Grants Pass. Investigators said her car was found in the Galice area months later. The circumstances of Fauna’s disappearance remain unclear and her case is currently classified as missing. Her case remains unsolved. Fauna’s disappearance has been featured on multiple investigative podcasts, including Nowhere to be Found, Here One Minute, Gone the Next, and Detective Perspective, each trying to fill the silence left by law enforcement. New listeners continue to discover her story, hoping a fresh set of eyes or a single loose memory might be the key to finding Fauna.

Have Information on Fauna Frey? Please Speak Up!

If you know anything, no matter how small, please contact:

• Josephine County Sheriff’s Office
• Tip line: (541) 359-5638
• Email: FindFaunaFrey@gmail.com

Currrently there is a $50,000 CASH REWARD for information leading to the location of Fauna Frey. LARGE CASH REWARDS are being offered for any other relevant information, such as any objects that could be identified as Fauna’s, i.e. her wallet, keys, or Indian/Buffalo .999 silver bullion coins. Find Fauna Frey Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/341658526970132

 

Trump Deploys Troops to Portland. Vows ‘Full Force’

Oregon elected officials, community organizations, unions and other groups are urging President Donald Trump not to send federal troops to Portland, warning that such an action would ultimately harm the city’s economy and communities.

President Donald Trump said Saturday morning he will send troops to Portland, attempting an unprecedented use of U.S. military forces within the country.

In a brief post to his social media platform, Trump said he would have Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth order troops deployed to Oregon’s largest city.

Trump did not specify what legal justification he had to do so, what military branch would be used or other key details. The troops would be used to defend U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities from “domestic terrorists,” he said.

“At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists,” Trump wrote on his social media platform. “I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary.”

A 19th-century law, the Posse Comitatus Act, generally forbids military members from conducting domestic law enforcement. Constitutional experts say the idea was one of the nation’s founding principles.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, said in a statement Saturday morning that she is reaching out to the White House and the Department of Homeland Security for more information.

“We have been provided no information on the reason or purpose of any military mission,” she said. “There is no national security threat in Portland. Our communities are safe and calm. I ask Oregonians to stay calm and enjoy a beautiful fall day. We will have further comment when we have more information.”

A spokesperson for the U.S. National Guard said the branch had no information to share and deferred questions to the White House.

A White House official writing on background noted a recent history of protests at an ICE facility in Portland.

The local U.S. attorney has brought charges against 26 people since early June for crimes including arson and resisting arrest, official said. Neighborhood residents have also made noise complaints related to protests, the official said, adding that state and local officials have refused to intervene.

That description, though, did not correspond with the quiet scene at the facility as an Oregon Capital Chronicle reporter visited Saturday morning.

Oregon’s senior U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat, also posted a video of the undisturbed facility and told Trump, “we don’t need you here. Stay the hell out of our city.”

U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter, a Democrat whose district includes much of Portland, blasted the announcement as “an egregious abuse of power and a betrayal of our most basic American values.”

“Authoritarians rely on fear to divide us. Portland will not give them that,” she wrote. “We will not be intimidated. We have prepared for this moment since Trump first took office, and we will meet it with every tool available to us: litigation, legislation, and the power of peaceful public pressure.”

‘Don’t take the bait’

A group of about a dozen local leaders  — including Dexter, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, a Democrat — assembled on short notice for a press conference Friday evening to discuss the potential deployment.

Merkley described it as a “don’t-take-the-bait press conference.”

“There’s a lot we don’t know,” he said. They’ve been given no details about how many troops are being sent, from what agency or branch of the government, and there’s been no coordination with the city of Portland, he said.

“Here is what I do know — the president has sent agents here to create chaos and riots in Portland, to induce a reaction, to induce protests, to induce conflicts. His goal is to make Portland look like what he’s been describing it as,” Merkley said. “Their point is to lead to an engagement. An engagement that could lead to violence.”

Wilson described the agents as already in Portland.

“They are here without clear precedent or purpose,” he said. “This is happening against the national backdrop of a federal government that may not even be open in a week’s time.”

Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said that as a sanctuary county in a sanctuary state, the county would not help enforce federal immigration laws without an order signed by a judge.

Escalation of military use

Deploying troops to Portland would mark a dramatic escalation, even for Trump, who has tested the legal limits of domestic military use.

He sent National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests against aggressive immigration enforcement there, despite the Democratic governor’s objections. And he ordered National Guard troops to assist police in Washington, D.C.

But the Los Angeles deployment responded to a specific circumstance, and the president holds power to deploy the National Guard in the District of Columbia because it is a federal territory.

Neither is true for Portland, where there has not been any evidence of violence at protests against the administration. The state government is dominated by Democrats.

The city did see extended protests in the summer of 2020 after the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Trump deployed federal agents then in what he said was an effort to protect the federal courthouse in downtown Portland. (SOURCE)

Oregon leaders say President Donald Trump did not consult with state and local officials or law enforcement agencies before announcing Saturday that he would deploy troops to what he described as the “war ravaged” city of Portland.

“Portland’s doing just fine, and I made that very clear to the president this morning,” Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said at an afternoon press conference in downtown Portland along the Willamette River. “Our city is a far cry from the war ravaged community that he has posted about on social media and I conveyed that directly to him.”

As of Saturday afternoon, it appears a deployment of federal officers to the area has so far been limited to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility south of downtown Portland, where armored trucks were seen Friday evening going in and out of the building.

The Democratic governor said she reached out to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Trump on Saturday morning, after she learned of the potential deployment from Trump’s Truth Social post. She said she told Noem and Trump, in brief and separate calls, that any federal military deployment to police the city is not welcome.

Kotek was joined by several local and state leaders, including Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, two Portland-area U.S. members of Congress, Reps. Andrea Salinas and Suzanne Bonamici, both Democrats, and Portland Police Chief Bob Day.

Day said the federal agents do not have to share their operational plans with local law enforcement.

“I do know that there are more federal law enforcement officers here designated to provide security for the buildings and, in their mind, try and provide a higher level of security for their staff and employees,” Day said.

He reiterated that the Portland Police Bureau, in a sanctuary county in a sanctuary state, does not engage in immigration enforcement.

There have been ongoing protests outside of the Portland ICE field office since June, and despite them being mostly nonviolent, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has brought federal charges against 26 protestors for crimes including arson, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.

Trump in his social media post did not specify what legal justification he had to deploy troops to Oregon, what military branch would be used or other key details. The troops would be used to defend U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities from “domestic terrorists,” he said.

A 19th-century law, the Posse Comitatus Act, generally forbids military members from conducting domestic law enforcement. Kotek said she is coordinating with state Attorney General Dan Rayfield to see if any legal response is necessary.

“We will be prepared to respond if we have to,” Kotek said about a potential lawsuit against the federal government.

Kotek said she has not heard from any other state governors about their National Guard troops being called upon by Trump to be deployed to Oregon. Kotek, as head of the Oregon National Guard, has said repeatedly she would not deploy Oregon troops. She said she has been in touch with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and California Gov. Gavin Newsom to learn from their experiences with Trump’s federal troop deployments. The White House shelved plans to send the guard to Chicago after Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson made clear they would not cooperate, and Trump’s advisors warned it would draw legal challenges.

Oregon House minority speaker Christine Drazan, R-Canby, said in an email statement that she supports the federal military deployment.

“The ICE facility in Portland has been subject to months of dangerously chaotic protests that have put residents and federal agents in harm’s way. The governor’s assertion that there is no national security threat and the mayor’s assertion that everything is fine is tone-deaf,” she said.

Kotek said the federal intervention is counter-productive and more likely to incite than quell any violence. Renewed calls for protest at the facility at 4 p.m. Sunday were circulating on social media Saturday.

“Any federal takeover with military troops in our state is a threat to communities across Oregon. It violates our right to govern ourselves. It interferes with local law enforcement’s ability to fulfill their mission, and frankly, it drains taxpayer resources that could be better spent elsewhere,” Kotek said. “Again, I communicated that to the president directly: Oregon is our home. It is not a military target. Any deployment would be an abuse of power and a misuse of federal troops.” (SOURCE)

When asked whether he was still sending troops to Portland, which he described as “War ravaged” in a social media post Saturday, Trump said his administration would make a decision on that “pretty soon.”

“Well, I mean, we’re certainly looking at it,” Trump said. “You can’t have that. We don’t want that. They’re attacking our ICE facility and they’re attacking other federal buildings.”

Later Sunday, the Trump administration did make the decision to deploy troops to the state, federalizing 200 Oregon National Guard members, effective immediately, for 60 days. The state of Oregon and the city of Portland filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration in response.

During a Sunday morning phone interview with NBC White House Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor, though, Trump made some remarks that seemed to indicate he might be backing off his military plan for Portland.

Trump referenced a weekend conversation with Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, and he alluded to being told by Kotek that the reality in Portland is different from what’s being portrayed to him.

“I spoke to the governor, she was very nice,” Trump said. “But I said, ‘Well wait a minute, am I watching things on television that are different from what’s happening? My people tell me different.’ They are literally attacking and there are fires all over the place…it looks like terrible.”

Kotek said she told Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Saturday morning that troops are not needed, and she believes Trump does not have the authority to deploy the military to Portland.

“We can manage our own local public safety needs,” Kotek said. “There is no insurrection, there is no threat to national security.”

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said the ‘necessary’ number of troops needed that Trump referred to in his social media post is “zero.”

A Pentagon spokesperson told the AP on Saturday that the Department of Defense would provide information and updates when available. On Sunday, it was the Department of Defense that sent the memo to Kotek informing her of the deployment of Oregon National Guard members.

Since June 2025, more than two dozen people have been arrested in connection with protests outside Portland’s ICE building on the south waterfront.

Most of the arrests occurred in the first month. The protests have generally decreased in size over time with reduced levels of confrontation, and law enforcement has maintained a watchful security presence at the building.

“This is an American city, we do not need any intervention,” Wilson said at a Saturday news conference. “This is not a military target.”

Still, in his interview Sunday with NBC, Trump referred to his yearslong perception of Portland as justification for his recent statements.

“They are attacking our ICE and federal buildings all the time,” Trump said. “You know, this has been going on for a long time. This has been going on for years in Portland. It’s like a hotbed of insurrection.”

On Saturday, a spokesperson for the Oregon National Guard, Lt. Col. Stephen Bomar, said in an email to the Associated Press that “no official requests have been received at this time” for Guard support. “Any requests would need to be coordinated through the Governor’s office,” he added.

Of the criminal cases, most are still ongoing. Three individuals pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of ‘failure to obey a lawful order’ and received 6 months of probation and fines. Another case was dismissed by federal prosecutors.

Others facing more serious charges, including felony offenses for assaulting federal officers, are set for trial later this year or in early 2026. Most of the arrests have led to misdemeanor charges, per a KGW analysis of court records. (SOURCE)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth moved to mobilize 200 members of the Oregon National Guard into federal service in the city of Portland for 60 days.

The governor’s office received a memo from the U.S. Department of Defense at 9:05 a.m. Sunday. It indicated the Oregon members are among 2,000 to be mobilized nationwide “to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other U.S. Government personnel who are performing Federal functions.”

The memo said the chief of the National Guard Bureau will coordinate details of the mobilization with the Oregon National Guard’s adjutant general, along with the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and commander of the U.S. Northern Command.

Protests outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland have been consistent but small. Arrests outside the Portland ICE building have dropped throughout summer.

Kotek, along with other leaders, has said no troops are necessary in Portland and made the case to President Donald Trump in a phone call Saturday. She said Sunday she didn’t know when troops might be mobilized in Portland, or exactly how many.

“I am no longer in charge of the members (of the Oregon National Guard) that he will be calling up,” Kotek said.

Kotek and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said Sunday the state had filed a lawsuit to block the deployment. (SOURCE)

Oregon sues Trump administration over unlawful federalization of National Guard.

REEL: https://www.facebook.com/reel/822383606886616

Health insurance premiums to rise for thousands of Oregonians in 2026 unless Congress intervenes

Nearly 35,000 Oregonians who buy insurance through the state’s Affordable Care Act market will lose all financial help if enhanced tax credits aren’t extended

More than 111,000 Oregonians who buy health insurance through the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace will pay significantly more for their plans next year unless Congress intervenes, and nearly 35,000 will lose all financial help paying for monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

That’s because congressional Republicans did not renew in their tax and spending bill passed this summer a pandemic-era enhanced tax credit meant to help lower the cost of plans for more than 24 million Americans and businesses who buy insurance through states’ Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces.

The credits expire at the end of the year unless Congress extends them. While Republicans hope to pass a stop-gap spending bill by Tuesday to avoid a government shutdown, Democrats have said they won’t consider any bill that does not extend the credits.

Without the credits, the average Oregonian buying health insurance through the marketplace will pay $127 to $456 more per month in 2026, depending on their income level, according to the Oregon Health Authority. Anyone making over 400% of the federal poverty level — that’s about $62,000 a year for a one-person household, $84,000 for a two-person household and $128,000 for a four-person household — would no longer receive the enhanced tax credits.

People over 400 percent of the FPL have always been able to access the Marketplace, but have been ineligible for financial help. The enhanced premium tax credits only extended eligibility for premium tax credit to people at incomes over 400 percent of the FPL.

The credits were introduced in 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan, a COVID-19 stimulus package, and expanded income eligibility and access to marketplace plans, doubling by 2025 the number of Americans able to buy health insurance through states’ ACA marketplaces.

The credits increased the income ceiling for credit eligibility. Previously, households earning more than 400% of the federal poverty level annually could not get financial help from the tax credits. Under the enhanced credits, households above 400% of the federal poverty level have out-of-pocket premiums capped at 8.5% of their household income.

People over 400 percent of the FPL have always been able to access the Marketplace, but have been ineligible for financial help. The enhanced premium tax credits only extended eligibility for premium tax credit to people at incomes over 400 percent of the FPL.

If Congress does not extend the credits, premiums for Americans enrolled in health plans through ACA marketplaces will rise an average of 75% next year, according to analysis from KFF, a health policy organization.

Premiums differ based on age and geography, and the rises would impact more young, low-income, urban enrollees, as well as enrollees in rural areas with moderate incomes. Average premiums in rural areas are expected to rise 90%, according to the Congressional Budget Office, leaving about 4 million more Americans uninsured next year.

Republicans have argued that Congress can debate extending the enhanced tax credits in November or December, but open enrollment for the ACA marketplace plans opens in November.

Without the certainty that they can afford higher premiums if the credits expire, many will choose not to enroll at all and go without health insurance in 2026, said Oregon state Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner at a Thursday news conference hosted by Americans for Responsible Growth, a national advocacy group that works with state financial leaders.

Steiner, a physician who served as the state Senate’s chief budget writer before becoming treasurer, said that the rising premiums will have cascading effects through Oregon’s economy. That’s in part because many small business owners, who must by law provide employees with health insurance, buy that coverage through the state’s ACA marketplace and will have to pay higher premiums without the tax credits.

“They’re going to lay off people because they can’t afford payroll. That, in turn, will result in decreased revenues from both corporate and personal income taxes, which will have a huge impact on our state’s bottom line, since we are one of the few states without a sales tax,” she said.

It will also create conditions, she said, where people will go without insurance, avoid and delay getting medical help, and skip or be unable to work as their conditions deteriorate.

“Good health care is good for business. Businesses depend on healthy employees who come to the workplace ready and able to do their jobs, not call out sick, or be less productive because of their illnesses,” she said. (SOURCE)

 

Oregon’s U.S. Sen. Wyden presses U.S. Treasury secretary to release Epstein financial files

Wyden has been investigating disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s financial transactions for years and calling for more transparency from federal agencies

For several hours on Valentine’s Day in 2024, staff from Oregon U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden’s office and the Senate Finance Committee sat in a room in the U.S. Treasury Department reviewing, thousands of suspicious financial transactions made by deceased and disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The transactions totaled more than $1 billion and included payments to women from eastern European countries where many of Epstein’s alleged victims are from. Along with Wyden’s team, staff from the offices of Republican Sens. Mike Crapo of Idaho and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee reviewed the documents, according to Wyden. Spokespersons for Crapo and Blackburn did not respond to requests for comment from the Capital Chronicle.

Treasury officials did not allow the staffers to make copies of the documents, only to take handwritten notes.

“And because you can’t take that stuff out of the room I asked, particularly, if the Republicans would be willing to join me in a subpoena that would get the rest of the information that was crucial, and they wouldn’t do that,” Wyden said. “And that was during the Biden years.”

Suspecting that there was and is far more financial information regarding Epstein in the treasury’s possession than they were shown, Wyden is introducing a bill that would force current U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to use his legal authority to turn over everything.

On Sept. 10, he introduced the Produce Epstein Treasury Records Act to compel Bessent to turn over all Epstein-related treasury records to Senate investigators. Wyden has asked Bessent twice, in March and June, to provide the files to the Senate Finance Committee to no avail. He has been unable to get the majority vote needed for the committee to issue a subpoena for the files, Wyden policy director Keith Chu said in an email.

The bill is the latest in a now three-year investigation Wyden and his staff have undertaken to understand Epstein’s sex trafficking network through his financial transactions with some of the world’s largest banks and powerful men.

“I’ve long felt that my biggest opportunities have been when I followed the money,” Wyden said.

An unnamed spokesperson for the U.S. Treasury it’s complying with the House Oversight Committee’s request earlier this month to receive some of the suspicious activity reports.

‘It’s about the truth’

The reports are confidential and held by the treasury department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network called FinCEN. Although banks are supposed to report the activity in real time, the largest bank working with Epstein, JPMorgan, did not provide the reports to treasury until late 2019, after Epstein was arrested and charged with sex trafficking and died by suicide in a New York jail cell.

Wyden said the transactions show at the very least that the banks and the Internal Revenue Service were “asleep at the switch.”

“I want to find out what in hell kept these agencies from doing some audits,” he said.

Wyden first started looking into Epstein’s finances in 2022, connecting them to billionaire Leon Black, the co-founder of private equity firm Apollo Global Management. In 2023 and 2024, Wyden said he pushed “very, very hard to get the Biden people to do more,” and that then-Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s agency felt that they were providing him and Senate Finance members with more transparency when they allowed staff to see the suspicious activity reports, even if just for several hours.

“The reason that we got to do it is that we accepted their limits. You had to come in. You got it for a relatively short period of time, there were restrictions. That was kind of real pick and shovel stuff, getting what we got,” he said.

Calls for more transparency from the treasury and the Department of Justice following its investigation into Epstein have come from people across the political spectrum. Kentucky Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie said Wednesday that he will soon have the 218 signatures needed to force a vote in the House vote on releasing federal investigative files on Epstein.

Wyden said it’s become a major concern to many of his constituents in Oregon.

“Oregonians come up to me at the checkout line at Fred Meyer, when I’m walking on the street, basically saying: ‘keep it up,’” he said. “They know that I’ve been asking Trump people, that I’m asking Pam Bondi repeatedly, and people want answers,” he said.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in July said the Justice Department had wrapped its investigation into Epstein and found no evidence of a so-called client list, but has selectively released investigative files that were largely already public.

“I’m going to stay at it until the truth comes out. This has nothing to do with red and blue. It’s about the truth,” Wyden said. “There were huge sums of money — billions of dollars — moving around. So I want to make sure all the financial underpinnings come out.” (SOURCE)

Oregon lawmakers are holding interim committee hearings in Salem from September 29 to October 1, 2025, to address the impact of federal budget reductions.

Legislators are concerned that federal cuts could affect essential state programs, leading them to make difficult financial decisions in the next session. Key details on the hearings:

• Purpose: The meetings are informational hearings where legislators and the public will discuss the repercussions of recent federal cuts. The topics covered will include impacts on state agencies, emergency management, health care, and education.
• Budget shortfall: Recent federal tax changes could cause Oregon to lose hundreds of millions in tax revenue. For instance, a new federal law could divert nearly $900 million in state revenue to taxpayers over two years, impacting critical services like the Oregon Health Plan and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• Officials’ statements: House Speaker Julie Fahey emphasized the importance of these hearings for understanding the “onslaught of cuts and rollbacks”. Senate President Rob Wagner stated that the information gathered will help lawmakers make difficult decisions while preserving critical services for Oregonians.
• Potential actions: While these specific hearings are for gathering information, lawmakers are exploring options to address the budget issues. This could involve modifying Oregon’s tax code to break its link with federal tax law changes, potentially necessitating a special legislative session.
• Where to find information: Full agendas for the hearings and details on how to stream the sessions can be found on the Oregon Legislative Information System’s website (OLIS). https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025S1

Oregon Heritage Commission launches public survey to learn how Oregonians participate in and value heritage activities across the state

The Oregon Heritage Commission is updating the Oregon Heritage Plan to strengthen heritage efforts across the state and lay the foundation for the Commission’s priorities over the next five years. To help inform the plan, the Commission has launched a statewide public survey to understand the heritage values that Oregonians hold and how they participate in heritage-related activities across the state.

The survey is open to the public until October 27 and is available in English and Spanish.

“This public survey is an opportunity to learn how Oregonians across the state engage with Oregon’s story through places, traditions, cultural materials, experiences, and more. We want to hear why these resources are important to Oregonians and what would make them more accessible,” said Commission Coordinator Katie Henry.

In addition to the public survey results, the plan will be informed by discussions with Oregon’s heritage preservation community and the results of the results of the 2024 Oregon Heritage Vitality Study. For more information on the planning process, please visit this Oregon Heritage Website.

The updated plan is expected to be open for public comment in early 2026. The final plan is expected to be adopted by the Heritage Commission in April 2026 at the 2026 Oregon Heritage Conference in Woodburn.

About the Oregon Heritage Commission
The Oregon Heritage Commission is a group of leaders from across the state that works collaboratively to champion resources, recognition, and funding for preserving and interpreting Oregon’s past. Founded in 1995 by the Legislature, the Heritage Commission is comprised of nine gubernatorial appointments and nine ex-officio members. The Commission is designated in ORS 358.570-595 as the primary agency for coordination of heritage activities in Oregon. More information on the Commission’s website.

Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Announce Bill to Restore NOAA’s Extreme Weather Database, Keep Americans Informed of Natural Disasters

Bill would reverse the Trump Administration’s reckless decision to terminate database which has recorded cost of natural disasters since 1980

—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined senate colleagues to introduce legislation that would reverse the Trump Administration’s reckless decision to terminate the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) extreme weather database which has been vital to keeping families, researchers, and policy makers informed on the cost of natural disasters.

The Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act would require NOAA to restore and maintain the Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database, which collects and makes public information on natural disasters resulting in at least $1 billion in damage each year in the United States.

“Whether it’s wildfires in Oregon or flooding in Texas hill country, deadly weather events have become a way of life for too many Americans,” Wyden said. “While Donald Trump forces his anti-science agenda on the American people and kneecaps federal emergency response, I’m all in to help communities better prepare for and respond to natural disasters. I’m proud to cosponsor the Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act to restore critical information for states and communities to do just that.”

“Oregonians know all too well the threat of climate chaos, which is fueling increasingly frequent and severe weather events that threaten our homes, businesses, and way of life,” said Merkley. “Trump’s move to terminate NOAA’s extreme weather tracker will just add to the devastation communities face. Having a complete understanding of the cost of natural disasters allows us to make smarter decisions about how to make our infrastructure more resilient to protect our communities. I’ll keep fighting for Oregonians to have the resources needed to respond to extreme weather and ensure that we have the data to act.”

Since 1980, NOAA has maintained a database of all weather disasters in the United States totaling at least $1 billion in damage. The Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database has been essential in tracking how an exponential increase in climate-driven natural disasters over the last two decades has raised costs associated with disaster recovery. The database has also helped communities and lawmakers more effectively allocate resources before extreme weather events.

In 2024, the United States experienced 27 individual weather and climate disasters over $1 billion in damages, totaling more than $182.7 billion—the fourth highest on record behind 2017, 2005, and 2022. As the severity and cost of natural disasters continue to rise, research tracking the type and frequency of extreme weather events is crucial to ensuring the efficient allocation of resources and effective resilience strategies.

However, in May 2025, the Trump Administration discontinued the Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database as part of its efforts to destroy programs and research related to climate change. Cancelling this publicly available database threatens emergency preparedness, undercuts science research vital to fighting climate change, and weakens national and community-level efforts to reduce the cost of disasters.

The legislation was introduced by U.S. Senator Peter Welch, D-Vt. In addition to Wyden and Merkley, the legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.. —– A full text of the bill is here.

Oregon health officials have submitted personally sensitive information regarding certain Medicaid patients to the federal government as part of a spending investigation — a decision that comes after months of intense discussion concerning privacy and the potential misuse of health data by federal authorities.

Earlier this month, the Oregon Health Authority provided the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services with a report that included data on every adult who accessed emergency Medicaid services from April to June.

This information encompassed Medicaid identification numbers, dates of birth, and Medicaid eligibility categories associated with citizenship status — however, it did not include immigration status, patient names, or addresses.

State officials had been reluctant to release the data since CMS made the request in June, expressing concerns about how federal officials might utilize the information and emphasizing the privacy issues for Oregon’s immigrant communities. Nevertheless, the state health authority ultimately acquiesced under legal pressure to prevent the loss of federal funding for the Oregon Health Plan, the state’s Medicaid program that offers health coverage to 1.4 million low-income individuals and people with disabilities.

Oregonians who possess EBT cards must take measures to prevent the theft of their card number and PIN.

According to the Oregon Attorney General’s Office, there has been a 50 percent rise in the amount of money stolen from EBT accounts. They suspect that a traveling group is installing skimmers on card devices in retail locations.

These skimmers are frequently located in discount stores and small markets. EBT cardholders are advised to utilize the app to activate their card solely when making a purchase and to deactivate it afterward. It is also important to inspect card devices for any overlay skimmers.

Additionally, if the card device displays a yellow security sticker, ensure that it does not appear to be compromised. INFO: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/benefits/pages/protect.aspx

PLEASE Help Prevent Human-Caused Wildfires

In total, more than 345,000 acres have burned this year across the state. That’s compared to nearly 2-million acres that burned during the 2024 season.

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9/28 – 11 pm #OregonFires 25#evacuations#fires#prescribedburning#controlledburn#RxBurn#lowairquality5 FIRES in EVALUATION MODE:25 Oregon Wildfires – many are silent fires between 1 to 3 acres. These silent fires can quickly turn into dangerous fires. Please stay alert and ready. There is prescribed/ controlled burning going on in Oregon at this time. The map shows those fires in green. The air quality in #lanecounty#curry#deschutescounty#shermancounty and #cooscounty has worsened. FOLEY RIDGE FIRE  – #lanecounty 7 Miles East of McKenzie Bridge 497 ACRES – 56% containment DOWNGRADED TO LEVEL 1 EVACUATION ( Be Ready) KELSEY PEAK FIRE #josephinecounty#currycounty 1039 ACRES – 97% containment. DOWNGRADED to Level 1 ( Be Ready) #currycounty – (last update 10 days ago)PINNACLE FIRE  2184 ACRES –#currycounty 10% containment LEVEL 3 EVAC GO NOWLEVEL 2 (Be Set) and LEVEL 1 (Be Ready) EVACUATION- Rogue River Trail under emergency closure.BACKBONE FIRE – 2543 ACRES #currycounty 4% containment – LEVEL 3 GO NOW LEVEL 2 ( Be Set) LEVEL 1 (Be Ready) EVACUATION – Rogue River Trail under emergency closure MOON COMPLEX FIRE  – 17,316 ACRES #cooscounty#currycounty10% contained LEVEL 3 EVAC GO NOW LEVEL 2 ( Be Set) LEVEL 1 (Be Ready) – There is a temporary shelter open at the Gold Beach Library at 94341 3rd St, Gold Beach, OR. Silent Fires and Evacuations can change very quickly, so please stay alert  and safe.

https://geo.maps.arcgis.com/…/a6c8f8e58ad642f4813732233…—————————————————CLINK FOR FIRES 

https://experience.arcgis.com/…/6329d5e4e13748b9b9f7f3…/ —————————————————-CLINK FOR FIRES  National Interagency Fire Center

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/—————————————————

Preventing wildfires requires a collective effort from everyone—help mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect our forests and communities.

Monitor Fires in Oregon – Updated Daily

Please Help Prevent Wildfires!

Learn how you can prevent wildfires by visiting the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s wildfire prevention page.

 Support Wildfire Relief by Recycling

There are 2 ways to donate:

 Online with funds from your Green Bag account: https://bottledrop.com/…/obrc-emergency-fund-online…/

 In-person by bringing your redeemable beverage containers to any full-service BottleDrop Redemption Center

All funds raised (and matched) will be split between the following nonprofits providing wildfire relief in Oregon: Oregon Chapter of the WFF , Red Cross Cascades Region, and United Way of the Columbia Gorge.Learn more: BottleDrop.com/Wildfire

 

Oregon Lottery Commission Adopts Rules for Winner Anonymity and Ticket Discounting

This weekend, a new law will require the names and addresses of Oregon Lottery winners to be anonymous. Previously, a winner’s name was public record under Oregon’s public records law. Under House Bill 3115, Oregon Lottery may not publicly disclose a winner’s name and address without the winner’s written authorization.

Today, the Oregon State Lottery Commission approved rules to implement the new law passed during the recent legislative session. Under the rules, Oregon Lottery may release other public information about a prize win such as the city in which the winner resides, the retailer that sold the winning ticket, the game played, and the prize amount. A winner may authorize Lottery in writing to use their name and photos but otherwise, Lottery will not release a winner’s name and address.

House Bill 3115 also prohibits the purchase or sale of a winning lottery ticket in response to a cottage industry of so-called “discounters.” The discounters buy winning tickets for less than their value from players, then cash them in for the prize amount. While some players choose to sell their tickets to avoid driving to an Oregon Lottery payment center, others may do so to avoid having their prize garnished for outstanding child support or public assistance overpayments, as required by Oregon law.

Under rules adopted by the Oregon State Lottery Commission, Lottery officials will evaluate prize claims to determine if the tickets were bought, sold, or claimed in violation of the law. If a winning ticket is found to be in violation, Lottery will deny the prize claim and confiscate the ticket.

You can find FAQs regarding winner anonymity on the Oregon Lottery’s website.

Celebrating 40 years of selling games since April 25, 1985, Oregon Lottery has earned more than $16.5 billion for economic development, public schools, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org.

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.

Staying Informed During a Communications Outage: Best Practices for the Public

Disasters can damage critical infrastructure, leading to temporary outages in cell service, internet, and power. When communication systems go down, it’s vital to be prepared with alternate ways to get emergency information and stay connected. Here’s how you can prepare and respond:

  Have a Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Emergency Weather Radio

• Why it matters: Emergency radios can receive Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcasts via AM/FM or NOAA Weather Radio frequencies—even when cell towers and the internet are down.
• Note: Emergency radios do not receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) like cell phones do. Tip: Pre-tune your radio to your local emergency broadcast station (e.g., OPB in Oregon or NOAA frequencies).

Turn On WEA Alerts on Your Phone

• Make sure Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled in your phone’s settings. These alerts include evacuation orders, severe weather warnings, and other urgent notifications.
• WEA messages are sent through cell towers—if cell service is out, WEA alerts will not be delivered. This is why having backup methods like a radio is essential.

Charge Everything in Advance and Have Backup Power

• Charge phones, power banks, laptops, and rechargeable flashlights before fire weather conditions worsen.
• Consider solar-powered chargers or car chargers as backups.
• If you are sheltering in place, a generator (solar or gas powered) is helpful.

Know Your Evacuation Routes in Advance

• Save printed or downloaded evacuation maps in case you can’t access GPS or navigation apps.
• Most mapping services (like Google Maps or Apple Maps) offer the ability to “Make maps available offline.” Download your area in advance so you can navigate even if cell towers or internet access are down.
• When in doubt, call 511 or visit the TripCheck.com website if you have cell service.
• Don’t wait for a notification—if you feel unsafe, evacuate early.

Print or Write Down Critical Contacts and Info

• Phone numbers of family, neighbors, and local emergency contacts.
• Address of evacuation shelters, veterinary services (for pets/livestock), and medical facilities.
• Your own emergency plan, including meeting locations.
• Have copies of vital documents in your go-bag and take video of your property (inside and out) for insurance claims later.

If Calling 9-1-1 Over Wi-Fi or Satellite, Check Your Location Settings

If you call 9-1-1 using Wi-Fi calling or a satellite-connected phone (like an iPhone or Android), your location might not be automatically visible to dispatch. Instead, it may rely on the emergency address saved in your phone’s settings.

• Update this emergency address when you travel or relocate—especially in evacuation zones or rural areas.
• Most importantly, always tell the dispatcher exactly where you are—include your address, landmarks, road names, or mile markers to help first responders reach you quickly.

Sign Up for Alerts Before There’s an Outage

• Register for OR-Alert and your county’s local alert system.
• Follow your local emergency management officials’ and bookmark resources like: wildfire.oregon.gov.

 Prepare for Alert Delays or Gaps

• Know the three levels of evacuation:
  • Level 1 – Be Ready
  • Level 2 – Be Set
  • Level 3 – GO NOW
• If you hear a siren, see a neighbor evacuating, or witness fire behavior increasing—take action even if you haven’t received an alert.

 Be Your Own Info Network

• Check on neighbors, especially seniors or those with disabilities.
• Post printed signs with updates for those passing by.

In rural areas, community bulletin boards or fire stations may serve as local information points.

Support and Restoration in Progress
To help maintain emergency communications during this incident, OEM deployed eight Starlink terminals under the guidance of ESF 2 and the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC). A Communications Technician (Jeff Perkins) was also deployed to assess connectivity needs on the ground. These Starlink terminals have been providing service to the Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Oregon State Police (OSP), Warner Creek Correctional Facility, and will soon support the town of Lakeview, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Lakeview Ranger Station. OEM’s Regional Coordinator (Stacey) is also on-site supporting the Lake County EOC. Coordination has been strong across local, state, and private sector partners. *** Update: As of 7/10/25 at 1:47 PM, fiber service has been restored.

Reconnect When Service Returns

• Once communications are restored, check official websites:
  • Oregon.gov/oem
  • Your county emergency management page
  • TripCheck.com for road conditions
• Share verified info—not rumors—on social media or community pages.

 Prepare for Delays in Restoration

• Communication may come back in phases. Damage to fiber lines or cell towers can take time to repair.
• Continue using backup methods and stay alert for updates via radio or in-person notices.

 Final Tip:

In an emergency, CALL 9-1-1 to report life-threatening danger, not for general information. Use local non-emergency numbers or go to physical information points if needed. You can find more tips for preparing in OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready toolkit.

 

Oregon’s Missing Persons

Many times you’ll see postings without case numbers or police contact. There is rarely a nefarious reason why (the nefarious ones are pretty obvious). Usually the loved one tried to call to report their missing person and they are either refused or told to wait a day or two by people who are unaware of SB 351 and the laws that they are bound to when answering the phone. Many people don’t bother calling LE if their loved one is homeless or in transition because they believe LE won’t care. The biggest myth is the 24 hour rule.

In Oregon we don’t have those rules and an officer or person answering the phone is not allowed to decide. The law decides. We have Senate Bill 351 and it states that the police CANNOT refuse a request for any reason and they must begin working on it within 12 hours. The person making the report does not have to be related to missing person either.

Here is SB 351 written by families of the missing here in Oregon in conjunction with Oregon law enforcement officers. This should be common knowledge, please make it this way. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/…/SB351/Introduced

 

 

Oregon State Police are reminding parents and students of the SafeOregon hotline.

It takes reports of potential threats against students and schools. The tips can be made anonymously. They can include safety threats, fights, drugs, weapons on campus, cyberbullying and students considering self-harm or suicide. A technician reviews the reports and assigns them either to police or school administrators. Tips can be made by phone, text, email or on the website https://www.safeoregon.com

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