Rogue Valley News, Wednesday 2/25 – Olsrud Family Confirms Plans To Sell Sherm’s Thunderbird Markets, Get Ready for 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲 to Support Special Olympics Saturday & Other Local and Statewide News Stories

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 25, 2026

Rogue Valley Weather

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

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

 

Message to Sherm’s customers

Sherm’s would like to confirm that our stores are up for sale. Our goal is to find that right partner that will keep the stores operating just as they have for many years. Serving the community and taking good care of our 500 plus employees. Steve Olsrud, who has run the company for almost 30 years, is 78 years old and has chosen to work on this succession plan to try and accomplish this. Steve’s desire is to keep the company operating in the same manner it has been operating for many years.

We plan on this company being around for many years.

We love this community and appreciate how very good you have been to us. The generations of families who have done business with us have just been amazing and it is very much appreciated.

Per Steve Olsrud it is business as usual.

Go Sherm’s

Sincerely,

Bob Ames

General Manager

Sherm’s Thunderbird Markets, Inc.

 

Get Ready for 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲 to Support Special Olympics Saturday

Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash Claims Lives of Two Ashland High School Students

JCSO Case 26-0904 — The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) is investigating a single-vehicle crash that claimed the lives of two teenagers early Sunday morning. On February 22, at approximately 12:44 a.m., JCSO deputies responded to a motor vehicle crash in the 1350 block of East Nevada Street in rural Ashland. Upon arrival, emergency personnel located an Audi A6 that had struck a tree.

The car was occupied by five 17-year-old juveniles. Tragically, the driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. Jackson County Fire District 5 and Ashland Fire & Rescue personnel conducted a complex extrication to remove the remaining occupants from the vehicle. The Ashland Police Department (APD) responded to assist with the investigation.

Mercy Flights transported the four remaining occupants to a local hospital with critical injuries. Shortly after arrival, a passenger was pronounced deceased. The three remaining occupants continue to receive care at the hospital and are in stable condition.

The families of those involved have been notified. Out of respect for their privacy during this extremely difficult time, the names of the juveniles are being withheld. All five occupants were students at Ashland High School. The Ashland School District has been notified, and grief counseling resources are being coordinated for students and staff.

Ashland School District Superintendent Dr. Joseph Hattrick shared the following statement:

“This is a devastating tragedy for our entire community. As a district, we are committed to surrounding our students, staff, and families with compassion, stability, and care in the days ahead.  We will be providing counseling support through local and regional support teams for as long as necessary. We ask our community to hold these families close in your thoughts and to honor their privacy as they navigate this profound loss.”

Ashland High School Principal Francisco Atanes added: “Our hearts are shattered by this unimaginable loss. These students were valued members of our school community, and their absence will be deeply felt in our classrooms, on our campus, and throughout our town. Right now, our focus is on caring for our students, staff, and families as we grieve together and support one another.”

The preliminary investigation indicates the car was traveling eastbound on East Nevada Street at a high rate of speed. The driver lost control prior to a 90-degree curve, causing the car to leave the roadway and strike a tree. The impact caused catastrophic damage to the vehicle.

The case is being investigated by the Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team, a specialized unit dedicated to investigating fatal and complex serious injury collisions. The team operates through a collaborative interagency agreement between JCSO, Medford Police Department, APD, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

JCSO extends our deepest condolences and prayers to the families, friends, and the entire Ashland community affected by this tragedy.

Flock Camera Alerts Local Law Enforcement to Portland Armed Carjacking Suspects, Sheriff’s Deputies Arrest Two Following White City Elude
Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Office

JCSO Case 26-0879 WHITE CITY, Ore. — The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) arrested two armed carjacking suspects this morning following the theft of a vehicle at gunpoint in Portland. At 8:46 a.m. on Friday, February 20, a Flock License Plate Reader camera alerted JCSO deputies to the stolen vehicle’s presence in the White City area.

Deputies attempted a traffic stop, but the driver failed to yield, leading deputies on a pursuit through the area of White City between Antelope Road and Avenue G. The suspect vehicle crashed into two uninvolved vehicles and was ultimately immobilized on Avenue G near Highway 62.

Three individuals exited the vehicle and fled on foot, but were quickly outperformed and taken into custody. JCSO was assisted in the response by the Eagle Point Police Department and the Oregon State Police (OSP).

During the pursuit, a JCSO patrol vehicle was involved in a minor collision with an Eagle Point School District bus. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. OSP is investigating the crash.

JCSO deputies arrested one adult and one juvenile suspect. The adult driver, Jhaywon Damon Brant, 21, of Beaverton, is charged with Attempting to Elude (Vehicle), Attempting to Elude (Foot), Reckless Driving, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Criminal Mischief II, Providing False Information to a Police Officer, and a Detainer for Parole Violation. The juvenile suspect was lodged in the Jackson County Juvenile Detention facility for a Felony Parole Warrant.

The armed robbery is under investigation by the Portland Police Bureau. The local investigation is ongoing. Further information about yesterday’s carjacking may come from the Portland Police Bureau. There is no more information available at this time.

 

 

 

Mt. Ashland Ski Area reopens following a temporary halt in operations last month due to significantly lower than average snowfall and snowpack.

 

The ski area had suspended its activities on January 15, citing a 63% decrease in seasonal snowfall and a 71% reduction in snowpack, which restricted terrain access and safe operations. However, recent storms and cooler weather have enabled crews to prepare the mountain for the return of skiers and snowboarders.

In a Facebook post, Mt. Ashland Ski Area announced that the lifts scheduled to operate upon reopening include the Sonnet, Lithia, and Comer chairlifts, as well as the First Act Learning Carpet.

Operating hours will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with twilight skiing available from Thursday to Saturday between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. using the same lifts. In a related development approximately 80 miles to the south, Mt. Shasta ski park revealed its reopening earlier this week. This ski area had paused operations on February 9 due to below-average snowfall and limited terrain conditions. Recent cold temperatures and a promising weather forecast have encouraged officials to resume operations.

To go to the Mt. Ashland webcam, click here.

 

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.

 

We can’t wait to see you there! March 7th & 8th at @ashland_hills_hotel

https://www.oregonchocolatefestival.com/   

https://www.facebook.com/events/733478522884320/733478529550986

 

 

The Taste and See Cooking School will be having another health meeting Sunday, March 15, at 1 pm, at the North Valley SDA Better Living Center in Merlin. We hope you’ll join us once again for a vegan lunch of delicious hearty soup, salad, crackers with dip, and desert (all organic). The cooking demo will show you how easy it is to make wholesome crackers and dip, as well as desert, and we’ll share all the recipes. Our health talk will discuss cancer, what it is, how to avoid it and alternative therapies. Hope to see you there at the Better Living Center, 106 Acorn Street, Merlin, Or. Registration is required. The event is free, but donations will be accepted. To register, please leave a telephone message for Kristin at 541-597-2300 with your name, phone number, and how many persons will be attending. NO TEXT MESSAGES, please. May God bless your continuing journey to healthful living.  https://www.facebook.com/events/26082334634767223/

White City Man Arrested on Sex Abuse Charges of Teen Girl, Detectives Believe There Are Additional Victims 

 

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.

 

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

 

 

Calling all artists: BLM seeks Artists-in-Residence at Rogue River Ranch, Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument during Freedom 250

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 · Donations Always Needed to Help Community

Our Community Food Bank exists to help folks who need an extra helping hand during a difficult month to feed their pets. Our program has a limited budget and so we rely on generous members of our community to donate some of these goods to continue to help assist our community.   In 2023 we fed an average of 700 pets a month! This equates to approximately 70 – 40lb bags of food each month!  Many pets have benefited from the community’s generosity, and we can’t thank you enough for your kindness.

 

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

 

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.

 

Oregon Senate passes bill to reschedule gas tax referral despite GOP opposition

Bill must pass both chambers by Feb. 25 to appear on the May primary ballot

After several delays and an encroaching Wednesday deadline, a proposal to reschedule the date of a gas tax referendum to May finally passed the Oregon Senate.

The Senate voted 17-13 mostly along party lines Monday to pass Senate Bill 1599, which would move the date that Oregon voters can approve or reject parts of a controversial 2025 transportation law from the November general election to the May 19 primary.

The bill’s Senate passage marks one of the largest hurdles Democrats faced this legislative session as Republicans vowed to do everything in their power to stop them from moving the date of the referendum. That included senators staging a walkout last week on the day the chamber was originally expected to take up the bill and attempts to delay it Monday by proposing motions to take up the bill at a later date or refer it back to the committee process.

Democrats spearheading the bill say moving the referendum to May would work in the interest of Oregonians who rely on safe transportation infrastructure as years of deferred maintenance and increasing construction costs have stunted the Oregon Department of Transportation’s ability to fix state roads.

“To put off one more day addressing that challenge is something I just can’t imagine why we would do that,” said Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland.

Without new revenue sources, Oregonians can expect more potholes, rutted roads, faded pavement markings and higher vehicle repair costs, agency leaders previously said.

“We’ve all seen the coastal highways wiped out from the storms this winter,” said Sen. Khanh Phạm, D-Portland. “The sooner that we in this governing body can get explicit direction from the public, the sooner that we in the Legislature can get to work on the difficult task of finding a long-term solution that protects and preserves our existing public infrastructure.”

‘We could have done it’: Republicans criticize lack of bipartisanship

Republicans repeatedly criticized efforts to move the referendum date, citing concerns over lower voter turnout in primaries and that moving the date to May ignores the 250,000 Oregonians who signed the Republican-led No Tax Oregon petition asking for a November vote.

“You are denying the voices of Oregonians because you can,” said Sen. Christine Drazan, R-Canby, reprimanding her Democratic colleagues for failing to work across the aisle and urging them to vote with their conscience.

Drazan on her desk had 4,600 sheets of paper representing all the Oregonians who submitted testimony against the bill next to a stack of 66 papers representing testimony submitted in favor of it.

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Starr, a Dundee Republican and a leader behind the petition asking for a referendum, said the organization would pursue legal action if the bill is signed into law.

“The only prophylactic to a referendum is a bipartisan bill,” Starr said. “We could have done it. We could have done it in 2025 in one session. That was my hope. My hope coming back to this process was that we would work across the aisle and get a bill that we could all support, then we wouldn’t be in a situation that we’re in.”

One Democrat, Sen. Mark Meek, D-Gladstone, voted alongside Republicans against the bill. He didn’t debate the bill on the floor, but on social media he said he supports the public’s right to vote on it in November.

The bill heads to the House next. Lawmakers have until Wednesday to get the bill past both chambers and signed by Gov. Tina Kotek, according to the secretary of state’s office, to give time to print ballots for Oregonians living overseas and gather arguments for the state-issued voter’s pamphlet.

Recap of Oregon’s transportation crisis — Democrats in a fall special session secured enough votes to pass a bill that would raise $4.3 billion for ODOT over the next decade mostly through a 6-cent gas tax increase, doubling the payroll tax used to fund public transit and hikes in vehicle registration and title fees.

That new revenue would have raised $791 million for the agency’s 2025-27 budget, but the No Tax Oregon campaign received enough signatures to pause some of those new revenue streams from coming in until a referendum.

Now, the transportation agency faces a $242 million shortfall in its current budget, and lawmakers are weighing which transportation programs to take funding from and redirect toward operations and maintenance. Agency leaders could redirect funding set aside for bridge and seismic projects in the Portland area, public transit, and grant programs meant to improve road safety near schools and pedestrian paths.

Without redirecting or raising new revenue, the transportation agency would have to lay off nearly 500 workers, agency leaders previously said. (SOURCE)

 

Senate Passes ‘Healthcare Without Fear Act’

Oregon Senate Bill 1570 will hold federal immigration officers accountable inside hospitals, protect patients’ and providers’ rights, and ensure everyone can access healthcare without fearing for their safety.

Healthcare workers applauded Tuesday as the Oregon Senate voted to pass the Healthcare Without Fear Act, Senate Bill 1570, to ensure hospitals are places of healing and trust; not fear or intimidation. The Healthcare Without Fear Act ensures federal immigration agents are accountable to the same standards as state and local law enforcement inside hospitals; safeguards patients’ private health information; and improves Oregonians’ health and safety.

“This bill is not abstract policy—it is a promise. A promise that Oregon’s hospitals will be safe spaces. A promise that violence and intimidation have no place in healthcare settings. A promise that caregivers can do their jobs without fear. And a promise that all patients are treated with the dignity, humanity, and protection they deserve,” said ONA President Tamie Cline, RN. 

The Healthcare Without Fear Act comes after recent federal policy changes have made hospitals, clinics, and schools targets for immigration enforcement actions from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In Oregon federal immigration agents shot two people in a hospital parking lot; arrested an entire family trying to take their sick 7-year-old daughter to the ER; and reportedly failed to follow protocols inside hospitals by entering restricted areas, exposing protected health information, and interfering with patients’ care.

Senate Bill 1570 requires hospitals to create policies around all law enforcement interactions, designate a point person to interface with law enforcement to reduce burdens on frontline caregivers, and clearly designate public and private spaces. It protects patients’ privacy by classifying immigration status and place of birth as protected health information and empowers healthcare providers to share information about immigration rights or legal services with patients and their families.

“Our patients do not feel safe seeking necessary and life-saving medical care. This injustice strikes at the heart of our healthcare system,” said ONA member Jayesh Palshikar, RN. “The Healthcare Without Fear Act will protect providers and patients, hold federal officers accountable to basic hospital standards and begin restoring trust in our healthcare system.”

Following today’s successful Senate vote, the bill will move on to the House Committee on Health Care.

More information on the Healthcare without Fear Act can be found at OregonRN.org/CareWithoutFear.

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 24,000 nurses and healthcare professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses and healthcare professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all healthcare professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.

 

Consumer advocates recover over $1 million in fourth quarter 2025 to put last year’s total at more than $7 million

In the fourth quarter of 2025, Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) consumer advocates helped recover more than $1 million for Oregon consumers. The fourth quarter consists of the last three months of the year. The $1,118,375 recovered brings the 2025 total to $7,039,774 – money that goes directly back to Oregonians.

Consumer advocates have extensive knowledge across many areas of regulation, including helping those experiencing difficulties with insurance, mortgages, banking products, securities, student loans, and a variety of other financial services regulated by DFR.

“The agency’s work to protect consumers by holding companies accountable to their customers helps to make Oregon more affordable for all of us,” Gov. Tina Kotek said.

The final quarter of last year saw 1,454 complaints come through DFR’s consumer advocates for a total of 5,663 complaints in 2025. Insurance complaints led the way in each quarter, with 935 in the last three months of 2025, while more than 3,700 insurance complaints came in throughout the year. Credit union complaints were the next highest of areas DFR regulated with 59 complaints for the quarter and 212 for the entire year. Advocates also received 254 insurance complaints that were not regulated by DFR.

Examples of consumer complaints successfully resolved by DFR advocates in the last three months of 2025 include:

• Following a dental trauma, a consumer was seen at an in-network emergency room and referred to an out-of-network specialist for follow-up care. The in-network doctor submitted a prior authorization for the specialist’s services, but the consumer did not understand that since the specialist was out-of-network, they would be responsible for the full bill, which totaled $12,000. The insurer denied the consumer’s appeal to pay the claim and waive the charges, so the consumer filed a complaint with DFR. During the insurer’s review, because the in-network emergency room provider requested prior authorization from an out-of-network provider instead of an in-network provider, the insurance company agreed to negotiate a single case agreement, which means the consumer will be responsible only for their in-network cost share.
• A consumer filed a complaint indicating a debt management service provider charged for services while he resided in Oregon when the provider was not licensed in the state. The service provider credited the consumer $3,176.48 for fees earned while he lived in Oregon.
• A consumer reported a hail loss in July 2025. The company’s estimate and the contractor’s estimate were significantly different. The two areas of concern were skylights and roofing materials. The consumer lived in a homeowner association that set requirements for the quality of materials used for building or repairs. Some differences appeared associated with those requirements and, based on the insurance contract, were not owed by the insurer. However, through the complaint process, the company reassessed these two areas of the repair estimate and made adjustments to properly reflect like kind and quality of the repair materials. Additional payments totaling $4,389.17 were issued.
• A consumer traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, to see a specialist for a rare type of cancer and ongoing treatment. During travel, an emergency occurred requiring the consumer to be hospitalized for a full month and to undergo multiple procedures. The provider had previously been in-network. However, the consumer’s employer recently changed insurers, and the provider was now out-of-network. The consumer was not aware there would be such a drastic difference in benefits. The consumer returned to Oregon as soon as they were able, but now had significant bills due of about $40,000. After corresponding with the insurer, the insurer agreed to retroactively approve continuity of care for the consumer, which allowed several large claims to be reprocessed as in-network. Partnering with the consumer and the insurer to verify outstanding balances and claim statuses, four separate previously out-of-network claims were able to be reprocessed, saving the consumer $38,800.75.

“Last year saw over 5,000 complaints come in to our consumer advocates, and they handled them professionally,” said Sean O’Day, director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. “We have a dedicated group of employees who have a common goal of helping Oregonians navigate the often complicated world of insurance and financial services.”

Oregon Insurance Commissioner TK Keen said consumer advocates have a tough job and handle it professionally.

“I am very proud of our team of industry experts, who continue to put their knowledge to work for the benefit of Oregonians,” said Keen, who is also the DFR administrator. “Many of the cases they deal with are highly complex and take a lot of time to navigate. I am happy to see their hard work benefitting so many people in our state.”

Anyone who may need a consumer advocate can call 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email .insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov“>dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov for insurance-related issues and .finanicialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov“>dfr.finanicialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov for financial-related issues.

 

Feds propose opening millions of acres of western Oregon forests to 1960s logging levels

The Bureau of Land Management posted a notice that officials intend to revise management plans for 2.5 million acres in 17 western Oregon counties

Federal officials are attempting to open up millions of acres of forests in western Oregon for “maximum” timber production to “advance Trump administration priorities,” including areas that are home to federally protected, vulnerable species, the Bureau of Land Management announced.

The agency on Thursday shared in a notice of intent that officials will propose new updates to the Western Oregon Resource Management Plans that have governed logging and conservation on 2.5 million acres of forests in 17 Oregon counties for decades, and that were last updated in 2016. The notice kicks off a month-long public comment period that will wrap on March 23. The agency does not expect to hold any public meetings in advance of releasing its proposal, the notice said.Submit public comment here or email: BLM_OR_Revision_Scoping@blm.gov

About three-quarters of the 2.5 million federal acres, known as O&C lands for having once belonged to the Oregon and California Railroad, are protected from regular logging. But in its notice of intent, the land management bureau indicated it could return those acres to 1960s harvest levels, at times more than 10 times average harvest levels over the last two decades.

“Bringing timber production back to historic levels is essential for reviving local economies and reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfires,” said acting director of the land management bureau, Bill Groffy, in a statement. “President Trump has made it clear — enhanced domestic timber production is vital for our national security, economic prosperity, and effective wildfire management.”

Conservationists have called it a plan to return to a time when the agency and the U.S. Forest Service clear cut roughly 3 square miles of old-growth forests per week, and an attempt to override years of court precedent protecting vulnerable species that depend on the stands. That level of logging nearly drove the federally protected northern spotted owl and the marbled murrelet, a small seabird that nests in old-growth forests, to extinction.

“The public does not want to go back to the days of rampant old-growth clearcutting. They don’t want to go back to dead salmon and polluted rivers, or see their favorite places on public lands liquidated in order to maximize profits for the greedy few,” said Chandra LeGue, an advocate with the nonprofit conservation group Oregon Wild, in a statement. “These are treasured public lands, and we’re going to fight for them.”

In his March executive order “Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production,” President Donald Trump wrote that he’d use the Endangered Species Act Committee, commonly referred to as the “God Squad,” to override the species’ protections standing in the way of increased logging. The committee earned its nickname given its authority to review and determine the fate of imperiled species, and it’s been tapped rarely since its creation in 1978.

In a statement, Travis Joseph, president of the American Forest Resource Council, a trade association for the commercial logging industry, celebrated the bureau’s announcement that more acres would open for logging.

“Bureau of Land Management lands in western Oregon continue to grow significantly more timber each year than is harvested, contributing to overstocked forest conditions and increasing the risk of catastrophic wildfire across much of the region,” he said.

Joseph said they are some of the most productive timberlands in the world. Bev Law, a forest scientist and professor emerita at Oregon State University, said they are the most effective carbon-storing forests in the world, as long as they remain intact.

She called the plan to return to harvest levels of 1 billion board feet of timber per year “insanity.”

“These forests are the low hanging fruit — the temperate rainforests and the long-lived forests that we have in Oregon and Northern California — they live for thousands of years,” she said. “That’s carbon that’s not in the atmosphere, and they still keep taking in more carbon as time goes on. The best thing that we can do is to let the forest grow, to try and turn this (climate change) around.”

Arran Robertson, a spokesperson for Oregon Wild, said the plans governing the management of the federal forests in western Oregon exist because species were being driven to extinction in the 1990s.

The Bureau of Land Management under several presidential administrations has tried to allow more aggressive logging on the O&C lands, he said, but lawsuits stopped some of the most sweeping attempts, particularly under former president George W. Bush. “Now this administration is going full throttle,” Robertson said.

Submit public comment here or email: BLM_OR_Revision_Scoping@blm.gov – (SOURCE)

 

PacifiCorp Announces Settlement of All Federal Claims for Damages from 2020 Labor Day Wildfires and 2022 McKinney Fire

PacifiCorp has reached a comprehensive settlement for $575 million resolving all known federal government claims for damages related to the 2020 Labor Day wildfires—including the 242, Archie Creek, Echo Mountain, Slater and South Obenchain fires—and the 2022 McKinney wildfire.

“This settlement is another significant milestone demonstrating our ongoing commitment to resolve all reasonable claims related to the devastating fires that affected Oregon and California,” said Ryan Flynn, President of Pacific Power. “Setting aside claims arising from the Beachie Creek/Santiam Canyon fire, we have now settled nearly 90 percent of known claims for a total of more than $2.2 billion, providing certainty for customers and progress toward a financially healthy utility.”

PacifiCorp continues to invest in wildfire prevention and mitigation initiatives, including situational awareness, advanced monitoring technologies, enhanced vegetation management and system strengthening. The company remains dedicated to collaborating with regulators, legislators and customers to develop long-term solutions that address the growing threat of wildfire and other extreme weather events.

 

A Portland, Oregon, company is recalling nearly 3.4 million pounds of frozen chicken fried rice products sold at Trader Joe’s stores and in Canada because they may contain pieces of glass, U.S. Agriculture Department officials reported.

Ajinomoto Foods North America Inc. pulled Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice from stores nationwide. The frozen product, containing fried rice, vegetables, chicken meat and eggs, is sold in 20-ounce plastic bags. The affected packages have best-by dates of Sept. 8 through Nov. 17, 2026. The products are stamped with the establishment number P-18356 inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The company also recalled cardboard packages containing six bags of frozen Ajinomoto Yakitori Chicken with Japanese-Style Rice with best by dates of Sept. 9 to Nov. 12, 2026. Those products were sold only in Canada.

 

State issues first 2026 income tax refunds for e-filed returns; Refunds for paper-filed returns won’t start until April

The Oregon Department of Revenue has begun distributing refunds for the 2025 tax year. Through February 17, the department has processed more than 500,000 electronically filed tax returns.

Most taxpayers can expect to receive their refunds within two weeks of the date their return is filed. Some returns, however, require additional review and can take up to 20 weeks before a refund is issued.

Oregon is returning a $1.41 billion revenue surplus “kicker” to taxpayers in 2026. The kicker credit will either increase a taxpayer’s refund or decrease the amount of state taxes they owe.

Only taxpayers who filed a tax year 2024 return and also file a tax year 2025 return can receive a kicker. The credit is a percentage of Oregon personal income tax liability for the 2024 tax year. Taxpayers can determine the amount of their kicker using a “What’s My Kicker? calculator available on Revenue Online.

The department encourages taxpayers to file electronically. On average, taxpayers who e-file their returns and request their refund via direct deposit receive their refund within two weeks. Those who file paper returns will experience a significantly longer wait in 2026 due to processing delays.

In the closing months of 2025, the IRS was late providing necessary tax form information to the Oregon Department of Revenue. As a result, the state’s processing of paper-filed Oregon personal income tax returns will not begin until the end of March. The first refunds for paper-filed returns are not expected to be issued until April.

Taxpayers can check the status of their e-filed refund by using the department’s Where’s My Refund? tool. The Department of Revenue recommends that taxpayers wait one week after they have electronically filed their return to use the Where’s My Refund tool. Paper-filed returns won’t show up in the Where’s My Refund? tool until processing begins in late March. Taxpayers mailing their return should wait two weeks after the department starts processing paper returns in late March or after mailing their return, whichever is later.

The Where’s My Refund? tool has been updated for 2026, providing clear messaging about the status of their return to taxpayers who are signed into their Revenue Online account. Taxpayers who don’t already have a Revenue Online account can create one by following the Revenue Online link on the department’s website. Taxpayers who don’t have a Revenue Online account can still use the Where’s My Refund? tool but won’t be able to see the updated features.

A video outlining the refund process and timelines is also available to help taxpayers understand the process.

Taxpayers should file just once unless they need to make a change to their return. They should choose to either file electronically or by paper. Doing both will delay processing of their return.

In addition to checking the status of their refund, taxpayers can make payments, or get tax forms by visiting the department’s website. Questions can be emailed to questions.dor@dor.oregon.gov.

Taxpayers can also call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), the department accepts all relay calls.

 

Oregon reports measles outbreak; new wastewater dashboard tracks measles virus by county

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) medical experts held a media briefing Thursday to give an update on the state’s response to recent measles cases in Oregon and across the country. They also will discuss new measles tracking methods.

The media briefing livestream for members of the public is available via YouTube at this link.

A new data tracking tool Oregon Health Authority (OHA) launched today shows the five confirmed measles cases identified in the state since Jan. 1 likely represent only a portion of infections occurring statewide, public health officials say.

To strengthen early detection, OHA today published a new measles wastewater surveillance dashboard showing viral concentrations by county and categorizing activity as very low, low, moderate or high over two-week periods.

Wastewater monitoring began Oct. 1, 2025, and complements traditional case reporting. Oregon submits data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Wastewater Surveillance System, which uses a high threshold for labeling samples as a “detection.” While that approach has shown sporadic detections of measles over time, Oregon’s analysis of viral concentrations indicates low-level measles activity across the state that has been increasing. For the two-week period ending Feb. 7, low levels of measles virus were observed in wastewater from nine counties.

“Wastewater surveillance serves as an early warning signal system, which gives communities a head start to prepare and empowers everyone to make informed decisions about immunization. Wastewater testing looks for the actual measles virus that causes illness in people, so it provides an early signal of community spread,” said Howard Chiou, M.D., Ph.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA’s Public Health Division.

“Measles is here in Oregon and spreading in the United States,” Chiou added, “and vaccination remains the best way for people to protect themselves. We encourage everyone to talk with a healthcare provider to ensure they and their families are fully protected.”

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus spread through the air when an infected person breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours, allowing it to infect up to 90% of unprotected close contacts and potentially cause serious complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation and death.

Measles has been increasing nationwide since early 2025, with nearly 2,300 cases reported last year. Most cases occurred among unvaccinated children.

Guidance for providers and the public – Symptoms typically begin seven to 21 days after exposure and include cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis with high fever, followed by a rash that starts on the head or neck and spreads downward. People are contagious from four days before the rash appears until four days afterward.

Health care providers should report suspected cases immediately and consider post-exposure prophylaxis for exposed patients:

• MMR vaccine, within 72 hours of exposure.
• Immunoglobulin, within six days.

For most vaccine-eligible people 6 months and older, MMR vaccination within 72 hours is recommended.

Anyone not protected against measles is at risk. OHA encourages people to check vaccination status and contact a health care provider if they have questions.

For more information on measles, visit OHA’s measle page. The measles wastewater dashboard page is available here.

 

Former Trail Blazer Star Chris Dudley To Run For Governor

The competition for Oregon’s Republican governor candidacy is steep with the latest addition standing a head — or two — above others.

Chris Dudley, a former Oregon Trail Blazer whose career lasted 16 seasons in the NBA, recently announced his entrance into the primary race for the governor’s office.

The 2026 primaries will be Dudley’s second attempt for the state office following a narrow loss in 2010 to Republican candidate John Kitzhaber.

Dudley is on a tour of the state this month, stopping in Klamath Falls last week for an event hosted by the Klamath County Republicans.

Standing 6’11, the former NBA center stayed true to his position with largely nonpartisan issues at the forefront.  His campaign focuses on “education, economy (and) livability,” which, he said, “includes affordability and safety.”  “Those are messages that resonate across party lines,” Dudley said.

A fifth-generation Oregonian himself, Dudley said he wants what’s best for the sixth and, one day, seventh generation Oregonians of his and all local families.

“What we want is pretty simple,” Dudley said. “We want to have schools and education that we’re all proud of. We want our kids to be able to have jobs. We want them to be able to afford to live where they grew up, and we want safe streets.”

The office of governor, he said, is powerful.  “You have powerful tools as governor: power of the pen … power of the purse … power of the pulpit. Being able to restore some balance to our state is critically important,” he said, noting that of all current appointed officials, only one was appointed by a Republican governor.

“Lots of people are believing that we can win because we can,” he said. “And … (it’s) imperative we do so now. It is imperative we change the direction we’re going … It’s imperative that we have somebody come to the table from the outside. I don’t believe … Oregon’s problems are going to be solved by someone who lives out in Salem.”

Dudley is the latest to join the race with 15 candidates in the gubernatorial primaries so far.

 

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 17^th 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, 3^rd grade teacher at Faubion Elementary, Portland, Ore.
• Rhiannon Young, 6^th-8^th grade teacher at Corbett Middle School, Corbett, Ore.
• Sophia Aguirre, 9^th-12^th 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.

 

YACHATS LIONS announces launch of Bird City Yachats

Bird City Yachats (BCY) will hold its official launch on March 1st, 1:30 PM at the Yachats Lions Hall when Bird City Oregon will present the designation to the Mayor of Yachats. This will be followed by a talk entitled “Taking Refuge on the Oregon Coast”, a history of our coastal wildlife refuges, which provide critical seabird nesting habitat. BCY is sponsored by the Yachats Lions Club.

In the Fall 2025 the city of Yachats was awarded an Oregon Bird City, the first bird city on the Pacific Coast. This certification rewards cities for their efforts to help wildlife. Bird City Yachats (BCY) is part of a national program, Bird City Network ( https://birdcity.org/) of more than 300 “Bird” cities across the country. A steering committee for BCY has been established to encourage our citizens to protect and enjoy our precious wildlife and to develop projects for their protection.

BCY projects range from education (e.g., speaker series, bird walks) to removing threats (e.g., bird strike prevention) and marketing (e.g., website, ads promoting Yachats as a birding destination). Birds have unique threats. One that kills millions of birds a year is striking windows. In that regard BCY been working with the city manager on window treatments for the new pavilion that will minimize bird strikes. Open pipes and chimneys that can trap birds are another threat. Working together with Seven Capes Bird Alliance, BCY has surveyed 24 state parks in Lincoln County and identified over 150 open pipes which we will help cap.

BCY now has a website (https://birdcity.org/oregon/yachats) and information available at the Visitor Center on birds and birding sites. This month we will unveil a photo exhibition of local birds and wildlife in the children’s section of the new Yachats library.

Established in 1950, the Yachats Lions Club serves Yachats and South Lincoln County. With our motto of “WE SERVE”, we provide service for eyeglasses and exams, hearing aids and exams, eye screening in Lincoln County schools, pancake breakfasts, crab feed, lunch bunch, speaker series, peace poster and flag day events in our schools, and community use of our clubhouse. Through community donations to the Yachats Lions Thrift Store our sales allow us to donate to local needs such as student scholarships, food pantries, school programs, and conservation projects.

Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club organization with a network of 1.4 million men and women in more than 200 countries and geographical locations. We serve where we live, as well as globally, and we have fun doing it. For more information, contact Lion Jim Welch at 970-217-4424 or jameswelch1009@gmail.com

 

LCPD Seeks Assistance in Locating Juan Antonio Suarez Jimenez
Lincoln City Police

The Lincoln City Police Department is desperately seeking assistance from the public in locating a wanted suspect, 45-year-old Juan Antonio Suarez Jimenez, of Lincoln City, Oregon.

A nationwide extradition warrant has been issued for his arrest as the suspect in a hit-and-run crash leading to the death of a local pedestrian. If you know of Juan Suarez’s whereabouts, please contact your local law enforcement.

Juan, if you are reading this, please turn yourself in to start bringing closure to those that loved Joe. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

 

A legislative proposal in Salem, designed to lower property insurance costs, is receiving input from both the insurance sector and other states that have enacted similar legislation.

Homeowners in Oregon and throughout much of the Western region are facing escalating insurance premiums and a diminishing number of insurance providers due to the threat of wildfires.

Senate Bill 1540 seeks to mitigate that risk and the related expenses. The insurance industry, along with experts from California and Colorado, represents just a portion of the stakeholders collaborating with Salem legislators on Senate Bill 1540.

The bill successfully progressed through the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire, which is chaired by local State Senator Jeff Golden, and moved to the Rules Committee on Thursday afternoon following a unanimous bipartisan vote.

 

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.

 

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 1^st in order to get your shirts and medal before the event.

Participants can walk, run, paddle or roll to complete their 5K anywhere outdoors anytime between April 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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