The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com
Wednesday – February 18, 2026
Rogue Valley Weather
Active Weather Alerts
...AIRPORT WEATHER WARNING... The National Weather Service in Medford has issued an Airport Weather Warning for... Rogue Valley Medford International Airport /MFR/. The following weather hazards are expected: Snow accumulation of around 1 inch on the runway is expected between 2 AM PST and 7 AM PST on Thursday, February 19th. Light snow showers with little additional accumulation will follow through 10 AM PST on Thursday before snow levels rise.
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THURSDAY ABOVE 2000 FT... ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THURSDAY BELOW 2000 FT... * WHAT...For the Winter Weather Advisory below 2000 ft, snow expected. Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. For the Winter Storm Warning above 2000 ft, heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations 3 to 6 inches, except up to 10 inches above 2500 feet. * WHERE...For the Winter Weather Advisory below 2000 ft, this includes Medford, Ashland, Gold Hill, Jacksonville, Applegate, Shady Cove and Eagle Point. This also includes portions of I-5 and Highways 140, 238, 62 and 234. For the Winter Storm Warning, this includes Prospect and Butte Falls. This also includes portions of I-5, Highways 140, 238, 62 and 227, and includes Jacksonville Hill on State Highway 238 at 2150 ft. * WHEN...Until 10 AM PST Thursday. * IMPACTS...Travel may be difficult and delays in your commute. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Another round of snowfall is expected tonight into Thursday. Visit weather.gov/mfr/winter for additional snow probabilities PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Call 511 or visit tripcheck.com for road information. Slow down and use caution while traveling. Call 511 or visit tripcheck.com for road information. &&
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THURSDAY ABOVE 2000 FT... ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THURSDAY BELOW 2000 FT... * WHAT...For the Winter Weather Advisory below 2000 ft, snow expected. Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. For the Winter Storm Warning above 2000 ft, heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations 3 to 6 inches, except up to 10 inches above 2500 feet. * WHERE...For the Winter Weather Advisory below 2000 ft, this includes Medford, Ashland, Gold Hill, Jacksonville, Applegate, Shady Cove and Eagle Point. This also includes portions of I-5 and Highways 140, 238, 62 and 234. For the Winter Storm Warning, this includes Prospect and Butte Falls. This also includes portions of I-5, Highways 140, 238, 62 and 227, and includes Jacksonville Hill on State Highway 238 at 2150 ft. * WHEN...Until 10 AM PST Thursday. * IMPACTS...Travel may be difficult and delays in your commute. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Another round of snowfall is expected tonight into Thursday. Visit weather.gov/mfr/winter for additional snow probabilities PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Call 511 or visit tripcheck.com for road information. Slow down and use caution while traveling. Call 511 or visit tripcheck.com for road information.
Here’s the overview of weather outlook, but be sure to check out what we’re predicting in your area: https://www.farmersalmanac.com/extended-forecast
For Fourth Amendment Training and volunteering, contact Coalición Fortaleza at soprepare@proton.me or 541-236-5605. Donate here.
Grief Circle, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, Coalicion Fortaleza office, 1005 N. Riverside Ave Suite 100, Medford, contact office to RSVP (required).
Cisneros said knowing such rights, like when a warrant is required and what “lawful entry” means, can help build confidence, reduce stress and better prepare for if federal agents show up. “The more we know,” Cisneros said to Ashland.news, “the less we make assumptions and, hopefully, less we are to be separated.”
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents may enter public places without permission but cannot enter private areas — interior spaces and those marked “private” with a sign — without a judicial warrant unless staff consent to the search, according to the National Immigration Law Center. Fourth Amendment workplaces are businesses and organizations that secure and label private areas, adopt protocols for federal agent engagement, sign a statement of support and train staff to assert their rights, according to Coalición Fortaleza — all of which the nonprofit helps with.
“When you do this kind of work, you build community,” Cisneros said. “Community is a very underutilized tool for systemic change, and that is being addressed here.”
The four women staff and a few volunteers behind the nonprofit started training workplaces in July according to Community Wealth Building Organizer Celinés Garcia. As interest grew, they leaned on allyship.
Coalición Fortaleza trains volunteers from Central Point, Medford, Phoenix, Talent and Ashland to canvas door-to-door and help businesses become Fourth Amendment workplaces. They have canvassed over 100 businesses in the Rogue Valley, Garcia told Ashland.news late January.
During a training in the fall, one volunteer, who asked Ashland.news to be anonymous, said to the group, “When it’s actually happening in your face, all of this goes out the door,” they said. “This is just the first step; it’s a practice.” They reminded participants to always film federal agents as it can serve as evidence of them breaking the law.
This Fourth Amendment workplace movement started early 2025 in North Carolina, as reported by The Guardian, with Siembra, an immigrant rights group founded in response to the first Trump administration’s attacks on immigrants. Coalición Fortaleza adapted their efforts from Siembra’s Defend and Recruit, a project that offers online Fourth Amendment training and toolkits, and the National Immigration Law Center, a leading advocacy organization defending immigrant rights.
Coalición Fortaleza’s training, available in English and Spanish, teaches participants what to do and say before, during and after an ICE operation. Participants also learn what to do after a federal arrest and in a Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) audit, when federal immigration officials visit a workplace to confirm a worker’s identity and authorization to work.
Knowing your rights
About a dozen staff from four neighboring workplaces in Phoenix — Oregon Cheese Cave, Phoenix Dripp Café, Pollinator Project and Bee Sweet Blooms — were some of the first to participate in the training. Melodie Picard, an immigrant from France who founded the city’s European cheese store in 2018, said, “We’re all witnessing the signs of turmoil, worry and everything that’s been happening in the country. If s— hits the fan here, then we’ll be prepared and be there for people.”
Also among the first trained groups were the Ashland Community Food Bank and Rogue Food Unites (RFU), an Ashland-based nonprofit formed after the wildfires. “Rogue Food Unites prioritizes reducing barriers to folks that need food in times of crisis,” RFU Finance Director Stu O’Neill said in a phone call to Ashland.news. “When we were founded, the initial idea of a crisis was a natural disaster, but what we’re witnessing now is that we can have crises that are not natural.”
Roughly a dozen RFU staff participated at first, and nearly twice as many volunteers joined a follow-up training several months later as part of an effort to create a safe space for community food access, according to O’Neill. “It’s going to take all of us working together to keep our community safe,” he said.
The training provided “invaluable” information to about a dozen staff at Nous, an Alsatian restaurant which opened in downtown Ashland less than a year ago, part-owner Molly Shaughnessy said. Before the training, she said there was some confusion and anxiety among employees. “We have a way forward to protect ourselves and the knowledge we need to react accordingly,” she continued in a phone call to Ashland.news after the training in January. “We didn’t know as much as we thought we did.”
Shaughnessy came across the training via an Instagram post from The Drift Collective, an Ashland goods storefront. The post reads, “Regardless of immigration status of you or your staff, this training is an opportunity … to build solidarity with all businesses in our community.”
Working with Coalición Fortaleza was simple, according to Shaughnessy. “They come to you and do a lot of the hard lifting. All you have to do is show up and learn.”
Oregon Cheese Cave owner Picard highlighted a part of the training where participants follow a written scenario, role-playing as an ICE agent or staff member to test what to do if federal agents enter a building.
“It was hands-on and we all kind of tensed up.” Picard continued in a phone call to Ashland.news. “It made it very real. It gave us a feel of ‘What would you do in that moment?’”
Recent activity sparks fear and urges readiness
ICE detained 17 workers in July at Rogue Valley cannabis grow sites and personal residences, as earlier confirmed by Ashland.news — marking one of if not the largest immigration enforcement actions in Oregon since the Trump administration pushed enforcement efforts early 2025. Recent events in other cities — an ICE agent killing a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis, two U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents killing a Minneapolis protester and CBP agents shooting two Venezuelan nationals in Portland — have amplified fear and the need to be ready.
“We are in unprecedented times,” Ashland Mayor Tonya Graham said in a phone call to Ashland.news. “Incidents in other cities are driving a lot of fear locally around what is widely understood to be government overreach from the federal government. We recognize that the federal government has the authority to address people who are undocumented, but there is serious concern about due process and federal agents operating within the law.”
Over 170 U.S. citizens were held by immigration agents in 2025, as reported by ProPublica, and many were dragged, tackled, beaten and shocked with a Taser.
State Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, encourages everyone to know their rights should ICE come knocking. “Every individual, every family and every worksite needs to be thinking through how they would respond,” she said in a phone call to Ashland.news, “so that we don’t have to make it up in the moment of crisis.”
More resources
Coalición Fortaleza’s response to immigration enforcement activity extends even further. In addition to legal education,” their most recent newsletter says, “we care for the whole person.”
The nonprofit offers free notary services to help immigrant families complete documents related to family preparedness and organize binders with important personal, legal and emergency information, similar to what is done for earthquake or wildfire preparedness.
“Above all, these binders are about empowerment — supporting families in making thoughtful decisions and having plans in place that reflect care for one another,” Housing Justice and Advocacy Organizer Jocksana Corona wrote in the newsletter.
The nonprofit also started a food pantry with cultural foods and grief circles — spaces for people to process the emotions federal enforcement activity triggers. The next grief circle is set to start at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Coalición Fortaleza office (RSVP required; contact the office at 541-236-5605).
Other local, volunteer-powered organizations tracking ICE activity in the Rogue Valley and providing resources for immigrants include Rogue Valley Migra Watch and Rogue Valley Pepper Shakers. Call Portland Immigration Rights Coalition (PIRC) at 1-888-622-1510 to report local ICE activity or if a loved one is detained. https://ashland.news/no-warrant-no-entry-rogue-valley-workplaces-train-for-encounters-with-ice/
Monument Drive Robbery
Josephine Co. Sheriff’s Office
On 2/14/26 at 1:15am, 911 received a report of an armed robbery that occurred at the Lil Pantry parking lot on Monument Drive. The victim stated he was robbed at gunpoint by two subjects. They stole his shoes, pants and wallet. The subjects hit the victim on the head with the weapon and then fled the scene southbound on I-5. Deputies arrived on scene and contacted the victim where he was interviewed and then transported to an area hospital by AMR.
The suspect vehicle was located by Deputies as it exited the southbound 55 exit then got back on the onramp continuing southbound on I-5. A high-risk vehicle stop was conducted just south of the Rogue River exit. Three male occupants were ordered out of the vehicle and were detained without incident.
After interviewing the three occupants, it was confirmed they were the suspects of the robbery. They were identified as Ordee Martin, Manuel Martinez, and Kevin Rhodes. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and a large amount of cash was found in the back seat.
Martin was arrested for Robbery I and Conspiracy to Commit Robbery I. Martinez was arrested for Robbery I, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery I along with two outstanding Felony Warrants for Robbery I out of California. Rhodes was arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Robbery I. All three were lodged in the Josephine County Adult Jail. No further information is being released at this time.
𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 
Our Severe Weather Shelter is currently seeking donations of essential items in good clean condition, including sweatpants, coats, ponchos, hand warmers, gloves, hats, tarps, umbrellas, deodorant, wipes, and more.
𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽-𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:The ACCESS Board of Directors has appointed Kellie Battaglia as the organization’s next Executive Director effective March 1, 2026.
Battaglia has served on ACCESS’s senior leadership team since 2018 and most recently as Co-Interim Executive Director, guiding the organization through a pivotal transition with steady, collaborative leadership.
During that time, she strengthened internal operations, supported staff and programs, and ensured continuity of services as community needs continued to rise.
Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center Terminating Contracts with Doctor Groups
Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center has notified a team of nine NICU doctors of contract termination. Also a decision to terminate pact with 28 hospitalists effective February 2027 comes weeks after reported contract termination for nine NICU doctors and Asante confirming changes planned in July 2026 for neonatology program.
In the second of two significant contract terminations in recent weeks, Asante officials have reportedly decided to part ways with a group of more than two dozen doctors providing in-patient care for adult patients at Rogue Regional Medical Center for nearly a quarter of a century. The effective date is early 2027,
Southern Oregon Hospitalists, which is housed in the lower level of the Medford hospital, was launched in 2003 for the sole purpose of providing in-patient care to hospitalized adults. The specifics of the contract or offer a reaction to the loss of the long-term contract but confirmed contract termination and said members would cease to work inside the hospital effective 365 days from the written notice Feb. 5, or in early February 2027. T
he group of more than two-dozen doctors offered the following statement: “Southern Oregon Hospitalists, the largest hospitalist group in Southern Oregon, is proud of the patient care they have provided to the community as the exclusive hospitalist group at RRMC for over 20 years.”
Termination of the hospitalists’ contract came just seven days after a Jan. 29 staff meeting in which dozens of employees were reportedly notified that Asante officials had terminated the contract with nine neonatology doctors for the Medford hospital NICU.
Other concerns were raised in recent weeks when nursing staff reported that Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford temporarily shut down its intermediate care unit twice in December after ONA officials claimed Asante created a staffing shortage.
Asante is the largest health care provider and employer in nine counties in Southern Oregon and Northern California, providing medical care to 600,000 people throughout the region.
Jeff Golden Announces He is Retiring
State Senator Jeff Golden of Ashland formally withdrew from the 2026 Oregon Senate race and announced he will retire at the conclusion of his current term. The decision brings an end to a legislative career that has spanned decades in public life and opens one of the region’s most closely watched seats ahead of the May primary.
Golden, a Democrat representing Senate District 3, has served in the Oregon Senate since 2019 after winning elections in 2018 and 2022. Before his time in Salem, he was known throughout Southern Oregon for his tenure as a Jackson County commissioner and as a longtime radio host.
Golden built a reputation as an advocate on environmental policy, civic reform, and local governance issues, often positioning himself as an independent voice within his party while maintaining alignment with Democratic priorities on climate and social policy.
Wolf Sighting Near Butte Falls School
A wolf sighting near Butte Falls Charter Natural Resource Center prompted class cancellations Thursday afternoon. According to the Butte Falls School District, the animal crossed Fish Lake Road onto the school property around 1:15 p.m. Classes at the NRC were immediately canceled for the rest of the day as a precaution.
The school said they immediately canceled for the rest of the day as a precaution. The district reported that everyone stayed calm and followed safety protocols.
Assistant Principal Ana Apgar has been in contact with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to monitor the situation. The district emphasized that student safety remains their top priority.
Community members are urged to report any wolf sightings within Butte Falls city limits to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at 541-826-8774.
https://support.soor.org/team/800721
North Medford High School reconstruction is officially underway on a modernized facility designed to better serve students and the broader community.
Early construction work is now underway, including underground demolition and drainage improvements, which officials say will help keep the project on schedule. Crews are expected to increase activity on campus in the coming weeks as they begin building the foundation for the new gymnasium.
“Nearly one year ago, our North Medford High School community experienced an unexpected and deeply difficult moment with the collapse of the gymnasium,” school officials said in a statement. “Over the past year, our students, staff, and families have demonstrated incredible resilience and flexibility. Our facilities, construction, and school leadership teams have worked closely alongside contractors, insurance providers, and architects to move this project forward. By no means has the reality of this aftermath been easy, but we are deeply appreciative that this is the community we are moving through this rebuild with.”
“When complete, this space will be far more than a replacement,” the district said. “The new gym will be a modernized, welcoming facility designed to better serve students and the community, with updated entrances, ADA accessibility with an elevator, updated restroom facilities, and a redesigned lobby that will include a digital alumni recognition center.”
School leaders said the gym rebuild is expected to be completed in 2027, though an exact date has not yet been confirmed.
White City Man Arrested on Sex Abuse Charges of Teen Girl, Detectives Believe There Are Additional Victims
WHITE CITY, Ore. – A Jackson County Grand Jury indicted a 19-year-old White City man today on charges of unlawful sexual penetration in the second degree and sexual abuse in the third degree. The suspect, Eli Mulugeta Young, 19, of White City is lodged in the Jackson County Jail.
On Friday, February 6, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies responded to a report of 19-year-old man sexually abusing a girl under the age of 14. JCSO deputies arrested the man in the 7000 block of Houston Loop in White City.
JCSO Special Victims Unit (SVU) detectives believe Young may have other victims. Anyone with information about the pictured suspect is asked to call SVU Detective Jill Wenzel at (541) 770-8928.
JCSO SVU detectives are currently investigating this case. Further information will come from the Jackson County District Attorney’s office.
Missing Eugene Man Located Deceased Outside Ashland JCSO Case 25-6554
RURAL ASHLAND, Ore. – The body of a Eugene man missing since December has been located near Mill Creek Drive and Highway 66 outside of Ashland. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Medical Examiner detectives have scientifically identified the body as Damon Lee Petrie, 60, of Eugene. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
JCSO deputies, detectives, and Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel conducted extensive searches for Petrie after he was reported missing on December 18, 2025. Petrie’s body was found by a hiker on Saturday, February 7. The cause and manner of death are pending an autopsy and toxicology report. No further information is available at this time.
UPDATE: OSP is asking for any potential witnesses or anyone with information to contact OSP Dispatch at 800-442-2068 or dial OSP (677) from a mobile phone. Please reference case number SP26-035245. Investigators believe the pedestrian (Byam) was struck sometime between 9:45 p.m. on January 30, 2026, and 7:20 a.m. on January 31, 2026.
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. (Feb. 2, 2026) – On Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 7:20 a.m., the Oregon State Police responded to a report of a person down on the northbound shoulder of Interstate 5 near the Exit 24 on ramp.
The preliminary investigation indicated the pedestrian, Anthony Jonathan Byam (34) of Phoenix, had been struck by a vehicle that did not stop. Byam was declared deceased at the scene.
An investigation into the hit-and-run crash is ongoing. The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by the Jackson County Fire District and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
City of Medford, Local Government – Calling all local artists!
The Medford Public Arts Selection Committee is inviting artists and teams from Jackson and Josephine counties to submit proposals for a new public mural in downtown Medford. 
Theme: Connection
Size: Four 4×16-foot panels (256 square feet total) Location: Bartlett–Middleford parking garage connection
Proposal deadline: April 12, 2026
A Medford-based nonprofit led by Latina Indigenous women teaches others to protect Fourth Amendment rights; pro-immigrant resources and upcoming grief circle
By Sydney Seymour, Ashland.news
Signs posted on store- and restaurant-front windows across the Rogue Valley read “private area,” “no warrant, no entry” and “we protect everyone … workers, clients, our community.” More than 50 businesses and organizations in the valley trained to become Fourth Amendment workplaces — with 16 in Ashland and almost double in progress — amid the surge in federal immigration enforcement, according to the nonprofit that facilitated their training.
Coalición Fortaleza, a Medford-based social justice nonprofit run by four Latina Indigenous women, started educating community members on their rights against illegal searches and seizures after seeing the second Trump administration’s immigration enforcement crackdown cause heightened misinformation and fear, said Interim Executive Director Teresa Cisneros.
𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱! Medford City Council’s Community Art Contest
Show us what community means to you and enter the Medford City Council’s Community Art Contest for a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship and have your artwork displayed at City Hall! 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲: Community—share your perspective and civic pride 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: March 20, 2026
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲: $1,000 cash scholarship 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗿𝘁: Displayed at City Hall https://www.medfordoregon.gov/…/City-Council%E2%80%99s…
Eagle Point Police /MADGE make arrest of gang related graffiti case
Arrestee #1:
Sanders, Izaiah Devon 18 years of age
Eagle Point Resident
Charges:
Criminal Mischief in the First Degree (4 counts)
Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree (12 counts)
Arrestee #2:
Buscher, Daniel 18 years of age
Eagle Point Resident
Charges:
Criminal Mischief in the First Degree (4 counts)
Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree (12 counts)
Arrestee #3:
Tagnoli, Jacoby Wyatt 18 years of age
Transient
Charges:
Criminal Mischief in the First Degree (4 counts)
Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree (12 counts)
Warrant-Maclaren Youth Correction Facility-Original charge: Possession of Stolen Vehicle
Details:
On January 26, 2026, the Eagle Point Police Department received multiple reports of vandalism involving damage to both private and public property in the downtown area. Graffiti was found on the rear of several businesses, fences, sidewalks, public walkways, and the historic covered bridge. The graffiti was determined to reference a criminal street gang based in South Central Los Angeles.
During the investigation, officers reviewed video evidence and worked closely with officials from Eagle Point High School, which led to the development of several persons of interest believed to be responsible for the vandalism. While the investigation was ongoing, Eagle Point Public Works employees began removing graffiti from the local splash park, Centennial Plaza, and surrounding sidewalks and benches. Several business owners and residents also assisted by cleaning and repairing affected areas.
On February 2, 2026, additional vandalism was discovered. Some previously affected locations were re-tagged, and new businesses were also victimized. Officers took additional reports and continued processing evidence to further confirm suspect involvement.
As the investigation progressed, officers were able to positively identify three suspects through video evidence, social media activity, assistance from Eagle Point High School staff, and tips from community members. Social media posts associated with the suspects depicted them displaying firearms and using gang-related hand signs.
Due to the apparent connection to a criminal street gang, the Eagle Point Police Officer assigned to the Medford Area Gang and Drug Enforcement (MADGE) Team was contacted to assist with the investigation and subsequent arrests. MADGE detectives and support staff provided assistance with surveillance and gathering additional intelligence related to the suspects.
Once sufficient evidence was established linking the suspects to the crimes, a search warrant was requested and approved. On February 4, 2026, detectives from MADGE, along with officers from the Eagle Point Police Department, served the warrant. As officers arrived in the area, the three suspects were observed walking near the covered bridge on Main Street.
Detectives attempted to take the suspects into custody. Sanders and Buscher complied with officers’ commands, while Tagnoli attempted to flee on foot. Tagnoli was quickly apprehended and arrested by multiple detectives on scene.
Earlier in the investigation, Tagnoli had been contacted by an Eagle Point Police officer prior to being confirmed as a suspect and provided a false name at that time. Following his arrest, officers determined his true identity and learned he had an outstanding warrant for an original charge of possession of a stolen vehicle. Tagnoli was lodged on that warrant in addition to the current charges.
Sanders and Buscher were also lodged at the Jackson County Jail. The charges in this case include four felony counts and twelve misdemeanor counts. Due to restrictions imposed by Oregon Senate Bill 48 (SB48), Sanders and Buscher will not remain lodged and will be released with future court appearance dates, as the offenses do not meet the statutory criteria for continued custody.
All charges will be forwarded to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office for review and filing. This investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges are anticipated.
New Blog: PIER Grant Round 2 Now Open! Read the full blog here:
Eligibility details Grant uses (up to $15,000) Important deadlines What support is available to help you apply
RCC Foundation Scholarship Applications Open February 1!
Jury Selection In Criminal Trial Over Alleged Drug Diversion Case Likely To Start By June
Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center nurse Dani Marie Schofield is scheduled for a September trial date, with jury selection set to begin by June.
Schofield, 37, appeared Monday before Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Jeremy Markiewicz for her first court check-in since the new calendar year. The former RN faces 44 counts of second-degree assault in connection with allegations she swapped prescription fentanyl for non-sterile tap water leading to life-threatening infections in dozens of patients, some of whom died at the Medford hospital.
Attorneys for Schofield, who pleaded not guilty in June 2024 to all charges, discussed ongoing discovery in the case and jury selection, which could include a pool of as many as 200 potential jurors and alternate jurors and begin by early June.
Markiewicz noted at Monday’s proceedings that a note was included in the case file inquiring about video streaming for the upcoming jury trial, but he said he was unsure who requested the information. In high-profile cases, streaming can sometimes be permitted to provide room when large numbers of the public are expected to attend a trial.
Schofield, who appeared in court Monday with several members of her legal team and some family members, has been free on bail since posting $400,000 toward a $4 million bail just one week following her June 2024 arrest.
Bureau of Land Management Ore. & Wash.
MEDFORD, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management is looking for two Artists-in-Residence: one at the historic Rogue River Ranch National Historic Site and another at the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.
The selected artists will have the unique opportunity to capture these public lands during a milestone year as the Nation marks its 250th birthday and the BLM celebrates its 80th anniversary. The artists will receive one- to two-week residencies during the summer to create original work while immersed in some of Oregon’s most remarkable environments.
One artist and one alternate will be selected for each residency based on the following criteria: entry materials, residency proposal, professionalism, and creative vision. Applications must be submitted by Feb. 28. As part of the 2026 program, selected artists will also be part of the Freedom 250 celebration, paying tribute to the historic sites and special lands that have contributed to the Nation’s heritage.
“Artists provide a captivating lens through which we can explore our connection to public lands,” said Joel Brumm, Assistant Monument Manager. “Their work provides a unique perspective on these remarkable landscapes, highlighting our mission and role in public land management as we celebrate our 80th anniversary.”
Rogue River Ranch National Historic Site –
The Rogue River Ranch residency will take place between June and August 2026 in a breathtaking setting deep in the Rogue Wild and Scenic River Corridor. The remote outpost is a two-hour drive or a 22-mile river trip from Grave Creek Boat Ramp. The selected artist will reside in the historic house.
Following their residency, the artist will share their vision in a public presentation at the Grants Pass Museum of Art on Oct. 2. Their work will be displayed at the museum for one month and then returned to the artist. The BLM is requesting digital copies of the artwork to promote the Artist-in-Residence program and public lands. The artist retains a non-exclusive use copyright.
In summer 2025, Artist Alisha Whitman created watercolors during her residency. She shared her experience with the BLM.
Artists of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, and there is no preference given to any style or medium.
Interested artists can learn more information and find an application at the Artist-in-Residence website, by e-mailing Tony Saunders at asaunders@blm.gov, or by calling 541-471-6642.
Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument – The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument residency will take place in June 2026. The selected artist will be based at a travel trailer at Hyatt Lake Campground while exploring the environment and creating their art. The BLM is seeking visual artists for this residency.
Since 2017, the Artist-in-Residence program has allowed numerous artists to transform the monument’s natural and cultural resources into visual art, objects, and performances.
Last year’s Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Artist-in-Residence was Paul Atkinson, a gifted photographer who spent his time studying and photographing the monument’s unique landscapes.
During their residency, the artist will share their experience and artistic vision in a public presentation. Following the residency, artists are asked to donate an original artwork piece, which they will retain the rights to.
Interested artists can learn more information and find an application at the Artist-in-Residence website, by e-mailing John Duwe at jduwe@blm.gov, or by calling 541-618-2320.
-BLM-
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Mt. Ashland Chairlift Replacement Project U
To go to the Mt. Ashland webcam, click here.
Every ski area has one piece of infrastructure that quietly holds everything together. At Mt. Ashland, that piece is the Windsor chairlift. If Windsor goes down, the entire mountain feels it immediately. That’s why we’re talking about replacing it now.
https://www.facebook.com/MtAshlandSkiAreaBritt Festival — first round of artists joining us at Britt this summer
Join as a member today to get early access to tickets! https://britt.org/events/
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. .
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
Rogue Valley Humane Society
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.
CSO 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.
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.
Taking Another Look at What Happened to Fauna Frey
Fauna was grieving the recent death of her brother, Dallas, when she set off from Eugene in June of 2020 heading to Grants Pass on what her family believes was both a healing trip and a mission to deliver gifts, silver coins inherited from Dallas, to a few friends.
But somewhere between motel check-ins and checkouts, something went terribly wrong. Her Jeep was found months later. She was never seen again. http://bit.ly/4l63Dle
We will start resharing podcasts and articles. For starters here is a story from Danielle Denham that appeared in the June 29, 2025 edition of That Oregon Life. Ms Denham worked closely with us to insure that the facts she presented were accurate.
Check out the nine episodes of the podcast Nowhere to be Found, a comprehensive, in-depth, sensitive treatment of the details surrounding Fauna’s disappearance. Hear from Fauna’s father, John, and her friends. Posted in spring of 2022, Amanda Popineau shares Fauna’s journey and the mystery that surrounds it. Go to Nowhere to be Found Season Two: Episode One “Under A Half-Moon.” https://podcasts.apple.com/kg/podcast/s2e1-under-a-halfmoon/id1532686678?i=1000512098162
We want to remind people that Fauna’s father is offering a huge reward for information that brings Fauna home.
Please if you have any information no matter how big or small let us know by calling the anonymous tip line or emailing.
Tipline- 541-359-5638
Email – Helpfindfaunafrey@gmail.com
FOLLOW on FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/341658526970132
Fauna Frey Vanished Without A Trace In Josephine County
It’s been more than 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
You can find food in your community at this link
Our network of food banks and pantries provides free food and groceries across Oregon. No proof of income or documentation required.
https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/
If you can’t make it to a food location, someone else can pick up food for you.You will just need to print and fill out the Authorized Representative form at https://lnkd.in/dsskUpkQ, and have them take it with them to the food sites. You can find step-by-step instructions at https://lnkd.in/dVBRxn-A.
Worried about recent changes or losing assistance?
Here are resources that can help:
211Info: Dial 2-1-1 or visit the211Info food webpagefor information and referrals to more than 1,500 food resources across Oregon.
Oregon Food Bank: Use the Oregon Food Bank’s Food Finder Map to find over 100 food pantries, free food markets or hot meal programs near you.
Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC): Call 855-673-2372 or visit theADRC food webpage to find local meal programs and food boxes in your area.
Call for Nominations: OnPoint Community Credit Union kicks off 17th Annual Prize for Outstanding Educators and Schools Making an Impact
OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education recognizes inspiring educators and schools with financial support, including paying four mortgages or rents for a full year
OnPoint Community Credit Union is asking the public to nominate exceptional educators for its 17th annual Prize for Excellence in Education. The program will award $193,000 to eight outstanding educators and five schools across Oregon and southwest Washington.
“OnPoint was founded by teachers more than 90 years ago, and we honor our roots by celebrating educators in our community who inspire future generations,” said Rob Stuart, president and chief executive officer of OnPoint Community Credit Union. “Every day, educators help students build confidence, curiosity and opportunity. We invite the community to once again help us recognize these educators by nominating them for the OnPoint Prize.”
Four winning educators will have their mortgage or rent paid by OnPoint for one year. Four runners-up will each receive a $5,000 cash prize. The OnPoint Prize also includes the Community Builder Award for innovative school projects. Four schools will receive $2,000, and a fifth school selected by community votes will receive $5,000.
About the Nomination Process
Anyone can nominate an outstanding educator or apply for a Community Builder award at onpointprize.com. Educators may also nominate themselves. Applicants must be full-time or job-share classroom teachers, counselors, school administrators or librarians for grades Pre-K-12. They must work in an accredited public, private or charter school located within any county that OnPoint serves. OnPoint also accepts applications for the Community Builder awards within those same counties. The nomination period closes at 11:59 p.m. PST on Tuesday, April 7. Educator of the Year finalists and Community Builder winners will be announced on May 6.
Since 2010, the OnPoint Prize has awarded more than $1 million in prizes to 347 local educators and schools.
This year’s awards include:
- Educators of the Year: Four educators will have their mortgage or rent paid for one year and receive a $2,500 donation to their schools for resources and supplies. One educator from each category below will be chosen:
- Grades K-5
- Grades 6-8
- Grades 9-12
- Gold Star: This category recognizes one educator who is a pre-kindergarten teacher, school counselor, substitute teacher, librarian or school administrator.
Runners-up: Four educators, one from each of the above categories, will receive a $5,000 cash award and a $1,500 donation to each of their schools for resources and supplies.
- Community Builder Awards: One school, selected by community votes, will receive $5,000 for a project that will meaningfully improve that school or community. Four additional schools will each receive $2,000 for special projects.
About last year’s winners
The winners of the 2025 Educators of the Year who had their mortgage or rent paid over the last year were:
- Ricardo Barber, 3rd grade teacher at Faubion Elementary, Portland, Ore.
- Rhiannon Young, 6th-8th grade teacher at Corbett Middle School, Corbett, Ore.
- Sophia Aguirre, 9th-12th grade English Language Development at Aloha High School, Beaverton, Ore.
- Hang Jones, Social Worker at Marysville Elementary School, Portland, Ore.
OnPoint awarded five Community Builder grants in 2025 to fund innovative school projects that inspire students, foster community, demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and reach a broad segment of the school community.
The $5,000 Community Builder Award, selected by community votes, went to Morningside Elementary School in Salem, Ore. The award funded new portable risers for the school’s choir program, giving every student a safe, visible place during performances and community events. Four schools received the $2,000 award:
- Abiqua School: Nature Trail – A Path to Outdoor Learning (Salem-Keizer School District, Salem, Ore.)
- Innovation Academy: Community Garden (Medford School District, Medford, Ore.)
- Sherwood Charter School: H.E.A.R.T Care Closet (Sherwood School District, Sherwood, Ore.)
Skyridge Middle School: Flood Recovery for Books (Camas School District, Camas, Wash.)
For information about the OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education, additional qualifications and contest rules, please visit onpointprize.com.
BLM launches public comment on western Oregon timber plan to advance Trump administration priorities
The Bureau of Land Management is inviting public input for proposed updates to resources management across 2.5 million acres of highly productive timberlands in western Oregon, an effort that underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to expanding domestic timber production and reducing reliance on foreign imports.
“Bringing timber production back to historic levels is essential for reviving local economies and reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfires,” said Acting BLM Director Bill Groffy. “President Trump has made it clear — enhanced domestic timber production is vital for our national security, economic prosperity, and effective wildfire management.”
A notice will publish in tomorrow’s Federal Register to open the comment period, which closes on March 23. Additional information is available at the BLM National NEPA Register, where comments may be submitted through the “Participate Now” option. Written comments may also be emailed to LM_OR_Revision_Scoping@blm.gov” style=”box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 94, 162);”>BLM_OR_Revision_Scoping@blm.gov or delivered to: Attention BLM OR930, 1220 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204.
The BLM remains committed to supplying a secure, resilient domestic timber supply. In western Oregon, this commitment is rooted in the Oregon and California Revested Lands Sustained Yield Management Act of 1937, which ensures sustainable forestry practices that support communities and livelihoods.
Revenue from timber harvested on these lands is shared between the U.S. Treasury and 18 western Oregon counties—funding essential local services such as schools, libraries, public safety, and infrastructure projects. Each year, BLM timber sales support approximately 2,000 local jobs and generate more than $1 billion for local economies.
### The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Oregon State Parks to hire seasonal Park Rangers, Park Ranger Assistants
Oregon State Parks is hiring seasonal Park Rangers and Park Ranger Assistants for positions across the state for the 2026 season.
Hiring starts as soon as this month and runs through June with new positions listed on a rolling basis on the website. The positions last anywhere from four to nine months. Most seasonal staff work April through September, but some start as early as this month or work as late as December.
Seasonal staff help visitors access world-class experiences and ensure clean and safe park areas for everyone to enjoy. Duties include janitorial work, landscape maintenance, visitor education and visitor services.
Salaries start at $20.28 per hour for seasonal assistants and $23.79 for seasonal rangers. Both positions include comprehensive medical, vision and dental plans for employees and qualified family members. The positions also include paid sick leave, vacation, personal leave and 11 paid holidays per year. Student workers, ages 16 and older, who are enrolled in high school start at $20.27 or more per hour, depending on experience.
Several of Oregon State Parks’ top leaders started their careers as seasonal employees, including all three Region Directors.
“We are focused on developing an engaged workforce by partnering with staff on career development, investing in skill building and fostering a culture of belonging. Whether you’re here for a season or your entire career, you make a difference in protecting and promoting Oregon’s special places,” said interim Director Stefanie Coons.
Seasonal staff gain valuable skills working with experienced Park Rangers at parks around the state. Positions are available in Oregon’s coastal areas, scenic valleys, and mountain regions, offering opportunities to work in some of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest.
For more information about current openings, visit https://bit.ly/oregonparkjobs. If you have any questions or need additional assistance in accessibility or alternative formats, please email Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Recruiting D.Recruiting@oprd.oregon.gov“>OPRD.Recruiting@oprd.oregon.gov.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, committed to diversity and pay equity.
During a trailblazing public service career, Avel Gordly worked to improve police accountability, mental health treatment and the lives of disadvantaged Oregonians.
She died Monday of natural causes.Gordly said she grew up learning from the examples of the strong women around her, including her mom and grandmothers who were active in social clubs and always working to elevate others. Gordly internalized their lessons, calling it “lifting as we climb.”
Gas Prices Rising
E-File Your Taxes For Free At Regional Offices
With anticipated delays in paper return processing in 2026, the Oregon Department of Revenue reminds taxpayers planning to file a paper return that they can use public computer kiosks in the department’s regional offices to file their Oregon personal income tax returns for free and get their kicker and their refund sooner.
“The computer kiosks offer a way to file electronically for those without a computer or those who fill out paper forms and want to transfer their data into Direct File Oregon to receive their refund—and their kicker—sooner,” said Megan Denison, administrator of the department’s Personal Tax and Compliance Division.
The computers are set up in the public spaces of the DOR regional offices in Bend, Eugene, Gresham, Medford, and Portland. They are available during business hours to file state tax returns using Direct File Oregon.
On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refunds two weeks sooner than those who mail in paper returns and request a check.
The additional wait will be even longer this year. The IRS was late providing necessary tax forms and information to the Oregon Department of Revenue late last year. As a result, the state’s processing of paper-filed Oregon personal income tax returns won’t begin until the end of March.
The department will begin issuing refunds for e-filed returns February 17. For paper filed returns, refunds will not start being issued until early April.
Offices are located in:
Bend, 951 SW Simpson Ave, Suite 100
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
Eugene, 1600 Valley River Drive, Suite 310
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
Gresham, 1550 NW Eastman Parkway, Suite 220
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
Medford, 3613 Aviation Way, Suite 102
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
Portland, 800 NE Oregon St, Suite 505
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed 12 – 12:30 p.m.)
Now in its third year, Direct File Oregon is an interview-based program similar to commercial software and allows taxpayers the convenience and security of filing directly with the state of Oregon through Revenue Online.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects $20,238,028.08 in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2025
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced today that the District of Oregon collected more than $20.2 million in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2025. Of this amount, nearly $15 million was collected in criminal actions and over $5.2 million was collected in civil actions. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
“The District of Oregon’s Asset Recovery and Money Laundering Unit provides critical support to victims of crime by holding those who profit from criminal conduct accountable and pursuing civil recoveries,” said U.S. Attorney Bradford. “We take seriously our obligation to make victims as financially whole as possible. Our annual collections reflect the dedication, persistence, and resolve of our team in the pursuit of justice.”
For example, to date, the government has recovered over $4.5 million in restitution from Sergey and Galina Lebedenko, who used their ill-gotten gains to purchase fourteen homes and properties, seven vehicles, an ownership interest in a private jet, and countless luxury items. After pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and wire fraud, the Lebedenkos were ordered to pay over $33 million in restitution. The government sought to remit and restore forfeited assets on behalf of the victim, including real properties and nineteen financial accounts.
In another example, the government secured the full restitution payment totaling $1.346 million from Michael James Defrees, who was convicted of wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering. Defrees agreed to satisfy this obligation prior to sentencing, but failed to do so. The United States secured payment through seizing three vehicles, multiple winter sports equipment, a racing boat, and a trailer, and helped facilitate the sale of two parcels of real property to pay his restitution judgment in full and satisfy his forfeiture money judgment.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
Oregon Housing and Community Services and Tribal Nations launch first-of-its-kind housing initiative
The state announces the launch of the Tribal Housing Grant Fund (THGF), which is a first-of-its-kind program to provide state funds to help address the housing needs of the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon.
“The Tribal Housing Grant Fund creates a new framework for how the state works with the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon,” said Gov. Tina Kotek. “It represents a meaningful step forward in honoring our government-to-government relationship and ensuring Tribes have the resources and flexibility they need to address their critical housing needs.”
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and representatives from Tribal Nations, including housing directors, health and human services directors, and council members, worked for more than a year to develop the program.
“The Tribal Housing Grant Fund is a landmark program that elevates Tribal self-determination in a state-funded program,” said Sami Jo Difuntorum, executive director of Siletz Tribal Housing Department and Housing Stability Council member. “The THGF will provide Oregon’s Nine Federally Recognized Tribes with critical housing resources, providing flexibility in program design.”
“The values, culture, and housing needs of communities are best understood locally,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “In consultation with Oregon’s Nine Federally Recognized Tribes, the Tribal Housing Grant Fund emphasizes self-determination and flexibility in how Tribes use state resources to address local needs. Honoring Tribal sovereignty, in its richest form, calls on us to operationalize this shared value.”
In the 2025 Legislative Session, lawmakers allocated $10 million to OHCS to establish the program. Program funds can be used for affordable rental housing and homeownership initiatives, as well as to maintain By and For Initiative-Native American Tribes of Oregon (BAFI-NATO) investments.
Tribal Nations will receive funds based on a formula that was previously used by the BAFI-NATO program, where each grantee receives a base amount along with Tribal enrollment numbers.
To obtain the funds, grantees must submit a housing plan every biennium outlining how they will use the money.
Eligible THGF program activities include:
- Homelessness response and prevention
- Affordable rental housing
- Homeownership support such as down payment and mortgage assistance
- Land acquisition, infrastructure, development, and rehabilitation
- Financial assistance and support services for households that qualify
- Capacity building
Visit the THGF webpage for more program details.
About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)
OHCS is Oregon’s housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.
The five-week Oregon legislative session started in February with more than 260 bills aimed at tackling issues from roads funding to data privacy to school funding to federal immigration and tax policies.
Now, halfway through the session and past the Feb. 16 deadline for bills to get voted out of subject-matter committees and onto the House and Senate floors for full votes, fewer bills remain. The dust has begun to settle around some proposals that died early without advancing, including several priority bills for Republicans in the minority in both the House and Senate.
Some of the session’s most controversial proposals that require raising money or making changes to existing law — such as attempts to tweak the state’s rollout of campaign finance contribution limits — are immune to general deadlines while they await hearings and votes in exempt rules, revenue or joint committees. Lawmakers have until the March 8 end of session to decide what to do with those measures.
Among the most ambitious proposals to die an early death was Senate Bill 1555, an attempt to overhaul the methodology used to figure out how much money the state sends to Oregon’s schools every two years. Both Republicans and Democrats on a joint interim committee and the Senate Education Committee had qualms about the process being rushed during the short session, while advocates argued it ultimately accepts a broken status quo that leaves some high needs schools underfunded. It died Friday in the Senate Education Committee.
“The problem isn’t going away and we need everyone back at the table during the legislative interim, working together until we find common ground and clear a path to get this right in 2027,” said Louis Wheatley, a spokesperson for Foundations for a Better Oregon, a nonprofit education advocacy group that had backed the bill.
Dead bills – Several Republican priority bills did not make it out of the committees where they were first introduced.
Among them was a bill proposed by Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany, to roll back greenhouse gas emission reduction targets under the Climate Protection Program, Oregon’s bedrock climate change law. Another, proposed by Rep. Alek Skarlatos, R-Canyonville, would have repealed a 2025 law that expanded unemployment insurance benefits to striking workers.
Two bills proposed by state Sen. Christine Drazan, R-Canby, died early, including one bipartisan bill to prohibit public health and harm reduction groups from handing out free hypodermic needles and syringes to drug users within 2,000 feet of schools or child care centers. The other bill would have allowed teachers to remove disruptive students from their classrooms, and required students be held back who are unable to demonstrate grade-level proficiency in core subjects in third grade. Both would have come up against legal challenges as they have in other states, critics pointed out.
On the Senate Floor on Monday, Drazan accused her colleagues of “posturing” and “virtue signaling,” about kids’ safety and learning rather than passing the two bills.
Another bipartisan proposal to exempt Woodburn from some of the state’s urban growth boundary limitations so more housing could be built, ideally for the area’s farmworker population, also died. Powerful farming groups, including the Oregon Farm Bureau, opposed the bill, stating that a process for requesting urban growth boundary expansions is already established in existing state law, and that Woodburn should follow that process.
A few ambitious bills brought by Democrats died early, including a revived proposal from the 2025 session that would have required Google and large tech companies to pay for the local news content those companies take at no cost, aggregate and profit from. The bill died after one public hearing due to a lack of support from moderate Democrats.
Another proposal to require contractors and grant recipients accepting money from state agencies to attest they won’t transport individuals detained on behalf of federal immigration agents also died after a single public hearing. Most of the Democrats’ proposals to strengthen the state’s protections for immigrants and to push back on aggressive federal immigration enforcements continue to move closer to final votes.
Hotly debated, deadline exempt – Legislative leaders sent several hotly debated bills to committees unbound by deadlines. Among them are a bill to let teens vote in primaries, another to let local governments spend collected hotel taxes on things not related to tourism and to open the state’s primary elections instead of allowing only those registered with a party to vote for party candidates.
Two bills that would redirect the portions of the kicker tax refund to the state’s general fund or to public schools are still alive. The latter will have its first public hearing on Thursday in the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee.
A Republican bill that would require the state to replicate recent federal tax code changes that allow individuals to write off a portion of private school tuition from their federal income taxes is still alive and awaits vetting in the education subcommittee of the Joint Ways and Means Committee.
A bill sponsored by Democrats that would require more transparency from lobbyists about what bills they’re lobbying for or against on behalf of clients is on life support in the Senate Rules Committee, according to James Browning, executive director of the Pennsylvania-based nonprofit climate group F Minus who helped draft the proposal. The bill was sent straight to the Rules Committee the first day of the session and it hasn’t had any public hearing scheduled.
Browning suspects the bill will have an uphill fight against the Capitol Club, a trade group for lobbyists with its own office in the State Capitol in Salem, which registered 13 of its own members as lobbyists for the club for the first time in more than a decade at the beginning of the session. Though there’s been no public testimony against the bill, Browning said he was surprised the club beefed up its representation after meeting with F Minus’s Oregon Director Aidan Bassett.
“I’ve worked on similar bills in other states going back 20 years and I can’t recall a state lobbyist association fighting a transparency bill in such an organized and potentially overwhelming way,” Browning said in an email.
Dale Penn, president of the Capitol Club, said in an email that they registered those members to lobby on behalf of the organization in an effort to “ensure full transparency.”
“Because proposed legislation this session could directly affect Capitol Club and its members, we anticipate that legislators may seek input from our leadership,” he said. “Registering simply ensures that any such conversations occur in a clear and compliant manner under Oregon law.” (SOURCE)
The Coos County Sheriff’s Office reports that no injuries happened in a traffic crash involving a school bus and a log truck occurred in Green Acres on Tuesday morning
CCSO officials said that a sheriff’s deputy responded at 7:36 a.m. on Feb. 17 to the scene where a Coos Bay school district bus, carrying children, was hit by a log truck. The crash happened on Green Acres Lane near Upper Loop.
The school bus had stopped to clear the railroad tracks when a log truck, driving eastbound, slid into the bus’s lane. The front right corners of both vehicles collided. Damage to both vehicles was minimal with no injuries reported, authorities said.
The trucking company retrieved their log truck from a ditch, while the Coos Bay School District transferred the children to another bus. Drivers are reminded to be cautious around school buses, which frequently stop at railway crossings to ensure passenger safety.
Another year brings yet another wave of phishing scams, with senders impersonating ODOT and DMV. Do not fall for these tricks.
The DMV warns that if you receive an unsolicited text message purporting to be from ODOT or DMV, claiming that you owe money for an unpaid traffic fine or toll balance, it is a scam. Refrain from clicking any links or providing payment or personal identifying information.
These messages are fraudulent and intended to steal your personal and financial data. It is advisable to delete the message and block the sender. The most recent scam messages originate from unknown phone numbers and often start with alarming phrases such as, “Evasion Notice for Oregon Traffic Court” or “Final Notice – Toll Violation (Oregon).”
These messages assert that you have an outstanding traffic fine or toll balance and demand payment by a specified date to prevent enforcement actions and penalties. The texts may reference a fictitious Oregon State Administrative Code and encourage you to click on a deceptive URL that may appear legitimate because it contains ODOT, DMV, or oregon.gov.
The Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue has moved forward with a new bill intended to deliver substantial tax relief to more than 200,000 low-to-moderate income households in Oregon.
This legislation also fosters job creation while protecting $291 million in funding for education, health care, and public safety. Senate Bill 1507 accomplishes these objectives by eliminating tax loopholes that are commonly exploited by affluent individuals and large corporations.
The bill suggests the most significant expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit in Oregon’s history. This adjustment will raise the credit from 9% to 14% for individual taxpayers and from 12% to 17% for those with a child under the age of three. Furthermore, the bill introduces a new $25 million Jobs Tax Credit, aimed at reducing taxes for businesses that generate well-paying jobs within the state.
This credit is available to all industries but necessitates a net increase in jobs in Oregon to be eligible. The proposal also guarantees that tips and overtime compensation will remain exempt from taxation.
The American Red Cross is making an urgent appeal for blood donations due to a nearly 35% decline in their supply over the last month.
The organization reports that winter storms and the flu season have intensified the shortage, resulting in hospitals facing challenges in meeting patient requirements. The Red Cross is responsible for supplying 40% of the nation’s blood, and the situation is critical, with blood being required every two seconds. Although 62% of Americans are eligible to donate, only 3% are currently participating, according to the organization.
From January 26 to February 28, donors will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. The Red Cross urges eligible individuals to schedule an appointment via their website to assist in replenishing the blood supply.
A semi truck driver, who is wanted on a nationwide warrant for a crash in 2024 that resulted in the death of a La Pine woman and caused another woman to lose her unborn child, was apprehended in Florida on Friday, according to the Oregon State Police.
Desiree Danielle Johnson, aged 35, was taken into custody by the Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force in Pinellas Park, Florida, and is currently awaiting extradition to Oregon. The OSP indicated that it sought the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service to locate Johnson after she failed to appear in court.
Johnson faces charges of criminally negligent homicide, second-degree assault, and reckless driving in connection with the 2024 crash that claimed the life of Elise Adair Farrens, aged 37, from La Pine. Court documents reveal that she has pleaded not guilty.
The incident occurred on February 29, 2024, on Highway 97, approximately three miles north of Gilchrist. The OSP reported that the preliminary investigation determined that Johnson was operating a Peterbilt semi-truck with a trailer when it jackknifed. The Peterbilt spun and entered the path of a northbound Honda Pilot driven by Farrens, resulting in a collision with the trailer.
Farrens was pronounced dead at the scene. The OSP stated that 23-year-old Daviana Marie Trussell of La Pine, who was a passenger in the Honda, sustained critical injuries and lost the child she was carrying.
In a letter submitted to the court, Trussell expressed that Farrens was her mother and that she was six months pregnant at the time of the incident. Johnson sustained minor injuries. Court records indicate that Johnson did not appear for a hearing regarding the case in February 2025, leading to the issuance of a warrant. This warrant was subsequently upgraded to a nationwide warrant last August.
Day Use Visits dip slightly in 2025, but Oregon State Parks remain a beloved destination
Oregon State Parks welcomed an estimated 51.46 million day-use visits* in 2025, a slight decrease from the record-breaking 53.85 million visits recorded in 2024, but visitation remains historically strong and widespread across the state.
While parks along the coast and in the Willamette Valley saw modest declines, Central and Eastern Oregon parks recorded a small increase, reflecting continued demand for outdoor recreation in every region.
The Oregon coast remains the system’s most popular destination, with 362 miles of publicly managed beaches. Day-use visits there dropped from 32.5 million in 2024 to 30.65 million in 2025. Willamette Valley parks also saw a decline, from 11.44 million to 10.71 million. In contrast, the Central and Eastern Oregon park visitation climbed to 10.09 million visits up from 9.89 million the year before.
Overnight stays followed a similar trend. Visitors logged 2.6 million camper nights* in 2025, down from 2.83 million in 2024. Temporary campground closures at popular parks like Collier Memorial, Silver Falls, Fort Stevens, and Nehalem Bay contributed to the decrease as critical maintenance and infrastructure work moved forward.
At the same time, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) continues to face high and rising costs to operate, maintain and protect park lands, facilities and visitor services. Aging infrastructure, increasing maintenance needs, and higher operating expenses have put sustained pressure on the system. While the agency has updated fees to better reflect current costs, those fees do not fully cover the cost of running and caring for Oregon’s state parks.
OPRD is also navigating a projected budget shortfall, which means every visit, every pass, and every act of stewardship matters. Unlike many public services, OPRD does not receive general fund tax dollars. The system relies on user fees, a portion of the Oregon State Lottery revenue, and a share of recreational vehicle (R.V.) registration fees to keep parks open, safe and welcoming.
“Even with small year to year changes in visitation, the love people have for Oregon State Parks is clear,” said Interim Director Stefanie Coons. “We want to do everything we can to continue to provide high quality experiences and create treasured memories for our visitors. Every visit and every supporter truly make a difference in helping us care for these special places.”
Looking ahead in 2026, Fort Stevens State Park is scheduled to complete its campground utility this spring. Two more projects, safety upgrades at Cape Lookout and visitor center completion at Silver Falls, will break ground in 2026.
OPRD is also recruiting for its 2026 seasonal workforce, with park ranger and park ranger assistant positions open statewide. Park rangers and support staff play a vital role in keeping parks clean, safe, and enjoyable while offering educational and recreational opportunities for millions of visitors. Apply today on the Oregon State Parks website! (https://bit.ly/oregonparkjobs)
*Day use estimates are based on car counters and multipliers; overnight camping estimates are based on occupied sites and multipliers. Car counters occasionally require maintenance or replacement, which may affect individual park totals. The overall figures represent OPRD’s best estimates for tracking long-term trends.
Call for Ideas: America 250 Oregon Commission Invites Public Input on National America250 Time Capsule
On July 4, 2026, America250 will bury the Semiquincentennial Time Capsule within Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. The stainless-steel cylinder, designed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is designed to safely store commemorative objects for 250 years until the capsule’s opening on July 4, 2275.
Each state has been asked to contribute a submission that represents its people, stories, and values at this historic moment, and the America 250 Oregon Commission invites the public to share ideas for Oregon’s contributions.
Items should reflect Oregon and its people today and may include creative works, written reflections, or symbolic objects created with long-term preservation in mind. Submissions must fit within a 6″ x 5″ x 2″ archival storage box, ideally made of a nonreactive metal (gold, silver, copper, titanium, platinum) or consist of a single page of archival paper no larger than 8.5″ x 11″. Other materials (such as stone, fabric, glass, clay) may be utilized, recognizing that the potential for long-term degradation is increased.
Oregonians are encouraged to submit recommendations to egon.250@ohs.org” target=”_blank” title=”Oregon.250@ohs.org“>Oregon.250@ohs.org by March 1, 2026. Public input will help inform the Commission’s final selection, ensuring Oregon’s contribution reflects a broad range of perspectives and experiences. Oregon Historical Society
About the America 250 Oregon Commission — The America 250 Oregon Commission was created through Senate Bill 1531, which was signed into law by Governor Tina Kotek on March 27, 2024. Chaired by the Oregon Historical Society’s executive director, Kerry Tymchuk, the mission of the America 250 Oregon Commission is to coordinate, provide guidance, and ensure that Oregon’s official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is inclusive and shares the histories of Oregon’s diverse populations, including the histories of the Indigenous peoples who have resided here since time immemorial. Learn more at oregon250.org.
Raise Funds to Plant Trees in Oregon
Registration is open for the Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little (Virtual) 5K
Inspired by American painter and PBS television personality Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, Oregon Parks Forever is sponsoring a virtual 5K race to help plant trees in Oregon’s parks & forests. You must register by April 1st in order to get your shirts and medal before the event.
Participants can walk, run, paddle or roll to complete their 5K anywhere outdoors anytime between April 18 and 26 (covering Earth Day and Arbor Day). Participants are encouraged to register by April 1 to ensure that your swag arrives before the event week. Last year, we had to close registration early due to higher than anticipated participation, so register as soon as possible. If you register after April 1, you may not receive your swag before race week. Registration will close on April 15, or earlier if more participants sign up than we have available swag.
For $36 per person, each participant will receive a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative bib number and a finisher’s medal. All Oregon race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts in Oregon parks. Ten trees will be planted in Oregon for each registration. This year’s tree plantings will be placed in the Santiam Canyon.
Initially, the “Happy Little Trees” program began with a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Bob Ross Inc., with hundreds of volunteers helping to plant “happy little trees” at locations hard-hit by invasive pests and tree diseases. The partnership quickly expanded to include the Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K.
As the Happy Little 5K gained popularity, more states have joined the effort. Now in its sixth year, the Happy Little 5K has expanded its reach to include fifteen other states. Together, all sixteen states will help raise awareness and funding for stewardship efforts in each state’s parks.
“We are thrilled to honor Bob Ross and continue our efforts to plant at least One Million Trees in Oregon.” said Seth Miller, Executive Director of Oregon Parks Forever. “To date, we have funded the planting of 850,000 trees.”
“The official Bob Ross 5K is probably our most favorite initiative,” says Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Company. “It’s the perfect blend of everything Bob held dear; nature, taking care of the environment, and happy trees too of course. He would have been so pleased to see how it’s getting so popular around the world.”
Participants can register at www.orparksforever.org. — For more information, contact Seth Miller at 503/966-1053 or seth@orparksforever.org
UNDER PRESSURE: A VOLCANIC EXPLORATION, AN EXHIBITION FROM OREGON’S HIGH DESERT MUSEUM, SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON THE RUMBLING GIANTS AMONG US
(BEND, Ore.) — For millions of years, volcanoes have been the most powerful force in nature. And for many in the West, the impact of volcanoes is forever tied to the May 18, 1980, eruption of Washington’s Mount Saint Helens. The science, spectacle, and significance behind these massive peaks will soon be at the center of an immersive new exhibition, “Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration,” which will run from Feb. 7, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027, at the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service recipient High Desert Museum in Bend, Ore.
On the heels of the Museum’s recent “Sensing Sasquatch” exhibition – which won the Western History Association’s prestigious 2025 Autry Public History Prize and earned national praise for exploring the Indigenous perspectives of what many call Bigfoot – comes the latest groundbreaking exhibition from the High Desert Museum. Under Pressure will take visitors on an educational, insightful, and thought-provoking journey into the forces that make volcanoes among the most majestic and often misunderstood natural wonders of the world, while exploring their individual stories and temperaments.
“From cultural and historical significance to the 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens, the Pacific Northwest and High Desert have a particularly long, complex, and symbiotic relationship with volcanoes,” says Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D., High Desert Museum executive director. “We live in their shadows, recreate on their slopes, and admire their beauty, but it’s the volcanoes’ ability to simultaneously cause destruction and creation that evokes feelings of awe. Under Pressure will provide an immersive and deep exploration.”
Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration, a groundbreaking new exhibition from Oregon’s High Desert Museum.
WHEN: Feb. 7, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027
WHERE: High Desert Museum (Spirit of the West Gallery)
59800 US-97, Bend, OR 97702 (map HERE)
COST: Free with Museum admission or membership
Active U.S. military and their families, as well as Tribal members, are FREE with ID
Among the highlights that visitors to Under Pressure can expect to encounter include:
- Engage the senses through interactive displays and exhibits, including volcanic rocks and a volcanic hazard map, to learn about cutting-edge volcano research.
- Hear stories and learn the significance of volcanoes to the people of the High Desert region.
- Get to know 4-6 individual volcanoes through biographies that explain the similarities and differences between them.
- Learn about present-day volcano hazards and how lava flows.
- Understand the technologies that scientists use to detect volcanic activity, which allow us to live among volcanoes while also enjoying their many benefits.
“These geologic giants exist all around us, come in all shapes and sizes, and tell a story of our past, present, and future,” says Whitelaw. “With 350 million people living near an active volcano worldwide, the more we understand about volcanoes, the better we can exist alongside them.”
Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration opens to the public on Feb. 7, 2026, and runs through Jan. 3, 2027, in the High Desert Museum’s Spirit of the West Gallery. For additional information on exhibitions or to start planning your experience, visit highdesertmuseum.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
Find the mental health support you need
Click to see all resources https://oregonhealthnews.oregon.gov/find-the-mental-health-support-you-need/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
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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