Rogue Valley News, Friday 10/30 – Rogue River Junior Senior High School Placed in Secure Status Due to Student With Gun Report, MissionView Village Breaks Ground Today in Grants Pass, Halloween Events, Clocks Get Turned Back on Sunday & 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

Friday,  October 30,  2026

Rogue Valley Weather

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

Be sure to check out what we’re predicting in your area:  https://www.farmersalmanac.com/extended-forecast

 

Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday – Turn the Clocks Back

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 A.M. local time. The clock moves back to 1:00 A.M., and we gain one hour.

After this change, sunrise and sunset are about an hour earlier by the clock. That means brighter mornings and darker evenings.

 

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Rogue River Junior Senior High School Placed in Secure Status Due to Unfounded Report of Student with Gun; Law Enforcement Finds No Credible Threat to School

Friday’s groundbreaking begins the construction phase of that expansion. When completed, the Harbeck Road property is intended to give 20 older adults a home they can afford, room to manage their own lives and continued support to help them stay housed.  MORE INFO: https://gospelrescuemissiongp.org/2024/11/27/mission-view-village-a-new-hope-for-seniors-in-need/

 

The 41st Annual Black and Blue Bowl takes place tonight, October 30 at 7pm.

Matchup Overview

• Teams: South Medford Panthers (host) vs. North Medford Black Tornado
• Location: Spiegelberg Stadium in Medford, Oregon
• Stakes: Both schools are tied with 20 wins each in the historic series, making tonight’s game the tiebreaker for the Black & Blue Board Trophy.
• Series Recognition: This game is featured as a Great American Rivalry Series

Community & Awards

• Community Focus: District Athletics and Activities Director Fred Kondziela highlights the event for uniting the local Medford community.
• Student Recognition: Top academic senior players from each team will be awarded the Rivalry Series Student-Athlete Scholarship.
• Ticketing: Reserved and general admission tickets are available via the South Medford GoFan Page with prices ranging from $3 to $19.90.

Sharing this great site for Kid-friendly and family-friendly events throughout Southern Oregon

https://www.whattodoinsouthernoregon.com/halloween-events-family-kids-parties

 

Good Samaritan Helps People Escape Car on Fire

 

The Social Security office in Medford, Oregon, is operating by phone only with no in-person help

The Field Office Locator takes an address, city, state or ZIP code and returns the office’s hours, its phone, TTY and fax numbers, and a link to check for temporary closings. It also links to a page for booking an appointment before visiting an office.

The locator sorts offices by what they handle. Card centers deal with new or replacement Social Security cards and personal information updates. Express card services offices handle similar card tasks and take drop-box items but not benefit applications or appeals. Some offices have limited services and cannot replace cards, so a different office may be needed for those.

The national number is 1-800-772-1213, with a TTY line at 1-800-325-0778, according to Social Security’s page on reporting a death. It lists hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, in most U.S. time zones.

Some errands do not need an office at all. A my Social Security account lets a person request a replacement Social Security number card, change an address or direct deposit, and print proof of benefits or tax forms. None of the three needs a visit to a counter.

 

The City of Grants Pass invites amateur and professional photographers to enter 2026 Water Quality Report Photo Contest. 

Share your unique perspective on the water that connects our community. Winning photos will be featured in the 2026 Water Quality Report.

Categories:

• K-12
• Amateur
• Professional

Prizes:

• The first-place winner will receive $200
• The second-place winner will receive $100
• Winning photos will be featured in the City of Grants Pass 2025 Water Quality Report

Rules:

• Submit an original photo that demonstrates your perspective on the water that connects our community.Photos must be submitted in a digital format suitable for reproduction.
• Submitted photographs must be from one frame captured by a camera (DSLR, point-and-shoot, smartphone, etc.) and not be a composite of several images layered together.
• Images created by AI (artificial intelligence) are not allowed.
• The agreement form must accompany each entry.
• Entries will be judged based on creativity, originality, and theme relevance.
• Entries become the property of the City of Grants Pass. The judges’ decision is final.
• The winning photos will be featured in the 2026 Water Quality Report, on social media, in promotional activities, and recognized during a City Council meeting.
• Photos must be taken in Southern Oregon, specifically the following counties: Curry, Jackson, Josephine, and Klamath.

Terms and Conditions: 

Employees of the City of Grants Pass and their family members are encouraged to submit photos but are not eligible for prizes. Winners will be notified via email by January 15, 2026. The first-place winning entry will be featured in the 2026 Water Quality Report, on social media, through promotional activities, and recognized during a City Council meeting. 

Prizes are non-assignable and non-transferable. No substitutions are allowed. Winners are responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes. By submitting the entry form, the participant assigns the City of Grants Pass the perpetual, royalty-free, and irrevocable right, and license to use, publish, print, copy, promote, distribute, alter, adapt, modify, edit, reproduce, or otherwise display entries in any way it sees fit without limitation or compensation to entrants for the purposes of public information, public service announcements, and education. 

All photos are subject to creative manipulation needed for the formatting of our report or any additional printed or digital materials used. Submitted photos will become the property of the City of Grants Pass, which may be used for additional materials without any restrictions.

The entry deadline is 5 p.m. December 31, 2026

Submit entries to: smorgan@grantspassoregon.gov

FULL RULES HERE

ENTRY FORM HERE

https://www.grantspassoregon.gov/1434/Water-Quality-Report-Photo-Contest-2026-

 

 

Haunted Candlelight Tours are Coming Back to Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve this October for the first time in eight years.   10/31

Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve – Quick, head over to https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/251610/ticket/10253727 and book your Haunted Tour at Oregon Caves!

Offered for the first time since 2018, these candlelight tours are available Saturday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 31, with nine tours each day.

Tours are open to visitors ages 10 and older and cost $20 per person.Led by park rangers, the candlelight tours introduce visitors to the cave’s nocturnal world and some of the lesser-known stories from Oregon’s past. Along the way, visitors may encounter bats and spiders and explore dark passages by candlelight – but there are no jump scares

 

Southern Oregon ballots for the November 3, 2026 midterm election have been mailed out to voters and election officials ask you to get out and VOTE early

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝: Voters are encouraged to use official ballot drop boxes. It is to late to mail ballots in. Ballots must be in a drop box or postmarked by 8 p.m. on November 3.

 

Medford School District Searching for New Head of Security

https://www.medford.k12.or.us/employment1/careers-in-msd/classified-staff

 

 

Crews have made major progress on both the Cleetwood Cove Trail and Marina Rehabilitation and the East Rim Drive Rehabilitation Project at Crater Lake National Park. 

In a statement, park officials said, “These projects represent a significant, multi-year investment in safety, park infrastructure, and the visitor experience. Improvements to East Rim Drive and key visitor areas will enhance the quality and durability of the route used by Ride the Rim participants and expand access to more secluded areas of the park.”

 

The 2026 WomanKind Biennial, on view September 18 through October 30, brings together 25 local women artists, nonprofit organizations, women-owned and local businesses, and
Jackson County Library Services for a community-based contemporary art project connecting
visual art with women’s causes, cultural exchange and direct community action.

Exclusive to the press Media Day will feature a panel of participating artists and collaborators
speaking directly with the press in the Main Gallery about the opportunities and challenges of being a female artist, women’s entrepreneurship, women’s causes, period poverty, and the role art can play in strengthening community. Panelists will answer questions, with opportunities for interviews, photography and video.

ART INTO ACTION
A central activation of WomanKind 2026 addresses period poverty and access to menstrual
products. The project has already raised approximately $4,000 toward period products, with
additional donations collected throughout the exhibition.

The public is encouraged to bring period products for the domestic violence shelter and
nonperishable food for the ACCESS food drive. Period-product donations will become part of
an evolving sculptural installation during the exhibition and will ultimately be donated to the
shelter through Women Entrepreneurs of Southern Oregon (WESO).

Jackson County Library Services librarian Jody Flemming is contributing an installation
addressing period poverty and will give a public presentation on the subject October 17.
WomanKind collaborators include ACCESS, Talent Period Dignity Project, AAUW —
American Association of University Women, Rogue Valley Metaphysical Library, Women
Entrepreneurs of Southern Oregon (WESO), Jackson County Library Services, and six
Southern Oregon businesses. Several participating businesses are women-owned, while
Blackwell Frames and Tlalli participate both as businesses and artist contributors.

The release of this Media Day announcement comes later than originally planned for a positive reason: the extraordinary community enthusiasm surrounding WomanKind has caused the project to continue expanding as artists, organizations and businesses have joined the collaboration.

First created as a successful community-based art project in 2024, WomanKind returns in
2026 as a biennial, expanding its mission to support local female artists, elevate women’s
causes, create cultural exchange, and turn contemporary art into tangible community action.  https://roguevalleymagazine.com/2026/10/01/womankind-biennial-brings-25-southern-oregon-women-artists-together-for-art-advocacy-community-action/

City of Roseburg Government — Wondering where to get the facts about City projects, plans, decisions, events and upcoming meetings?

 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆: 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 

Southern Oregon PBS Still on The Air Despite Federal Funding Loss

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 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.

 

10/30/2026 — Gas Prices in Oregon Today

Oregon, the 2026 General Elections Voter’s Pamphlet is available to preview online at oregonvotes.gov/voterspamphlet.

The Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet is a source of information about candidates, measures, and voting rules.

Translated copies will be published Friday, October 9, and printed pamphlets will be delivered between October 7 and October 9.

Half a million Oregonians have turned in their ballots week ahead of Nov. 3 election

Democrats are likely turning in their ballots earlier than Republicans, expert saysByMia Maldonado-October 27, 2026 6:00 am

A voter turns in their ballot at a dropbox located at the Albany Public Library. (Photo by Mia Maldonado/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

More than half a million Oregon voters have returned their ballots as of Monday morning, about 16% of the state’s 3.1 million registered voters, according to unofficial ballot return data from the Oregon Secretary of State’s Elections Division. 

Voters statewide have just a week left to cast their ballots. Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read is urging voters to do so at one of the more than 300 drop boxes located across the state, though voters can still return their ballots through the mail so long as it’s sent out by Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Following Tuesday, Read recommends voters take their ballots to a dropbox instead of putting them in the mail, where U.S. Postal Service delays could slow ballot arrivals.Make your vote count

Drop your ballot off at any official dropbox location by 8 p.m. Nov. 3.

Oct. 27 is the last day the Oregon Secretary of State recommends mailing in your ballot to avoid delays. 

Voter turnout will play a key role in several competitive races, such as the gubernatorial race between incumbent Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek and her Republican challenger Christine Drazan, a state senator from Canby, and in the state’s tightest legislative races in the North Coast, the Columbia River Gorge, Southern Oregon, Salem and Bend. 

Voter turnout is slightly outpacing previous years, particularly on the Democratic side, according to John Horvick, senior vice president and elections expert at Portland-based DHM Research.

About 46% of ballots cast as of Monday were cast by Democrats, more than 236,000. Republicans have cast about 30% of all ballots received so far, and nonaffiliated voters and voters registered with minor parties submitted the remaining 24% of ballots. 

That doesn’t necessarily mean this year will be a high turnout year for Democrats, Horvick said in a phone interview. 

It’s normal for Democrats to turn out earlier in elections, and it could be that Democrats are more concerned about possible mail delay warnings from state leaders, and in response turned in more ballots early. The mix of early ballots received will likely become more Republican as it gets closer to election day, Horvick said. 

Counties with the highest voter turnout as of Monday include Curry, Gilliam and Wheeler counties. Nearly a quarter of registered voters in Grant, Wallowa and Tillamook counties had already cast their ballots as of Monday.YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.SUPPORTRepublish

Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website. AP and Getty images may not be republished. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of any other photos and graphics.

 

Oregon Housing and Community Services Recognizes 50th National Weatherization Day (October 30), Helping Oregonians Save Energy and Lower Utility Costs

Statewide program helps households improve energy efficiency, reduce utility bills, and maintain safe, healthy homes

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) recognizes Oct. 30 as Weatherization Day in Oregon, highlighting the importance of helping households reduce energy costs, improve home safety, and maintain stable housing with a proclamation signed by Governor Kotek. As temperatures begin to drop across the state, OHCS is acknowledging the critical work of its local partners who help make homes warmer, healthier, and more affordable for Oregonians with low incomes. 

Originally established in 1979, Oregon’s Weatherization Assistance Program has helped households make energy-saving improvements that reduce utility expenses and improve living conditions. Through partnerships with community action agencies and local service providers across all 36 counties, the program provides eligible households with improvements such as insulation, air sealing, heating system repairs, and other energy efficiency upgrades.

“Oregon is a dynamic state because of the people and communities that call it home,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “Oregonians’ quality of life is impacted by high energy bills that often mean spending a significant portion of monthly income just staying comfortable and safe. Thanks to local partners, Oregon’s Weatherization Program improves health, safety, and affordability.”

Oregon’s Weatherization Assistance Program continues to serve as an important resource for households facing rising living expenses. In 2025, the program helped weatherize 1,141 homes across Oregon, with participating households saving an estimated $372 annually on energy costs. 

By addressing issues such as air leaks, inadequate insulation, and inefficient heating systems, the program can help improve indoor air quality, increase comfort, and reduce exposure to unsafe temperatures, both hot and cold. These investments also help preserve Oregon’s existing housing stock, allowing more residents to remain safely in their homes.

“Our community needs homes that are energy-efficient, affordable, healthy, and safe,” said Hector Guzman, weatherization assistance program director at Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency. “Weatherization makes that possible by preserving and improving the homes we already have by reducing energy use, lowering utility bills, and addressing health and safety concerns. By saving energy and helping households keep more money for other essential needs, Weatherization helps people remain in their homes with greater comfort, dignity, and stability. These benefits endure long after the work is complete, strengthening our communities for years to come.”

To learn more about Oregon’s Weatherization Assistance Program and how to apply for services, visit the OHCS website.

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 with low and moderate incomes. 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 U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced that at least 40 people are facing federal charges for conspiring to defraud the United States of more than $3 million in fraudulent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchases.

The schemes involved stealing EBT card data—often through skimming devices—to make unauthorized purchases of large quantities of SNAP‑eligible goods.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced multiple new guilty pleas, 11 new indictments and major federal sentences in two large interstate fraud schemes involving stolen Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) account information.

“When SNAP benefits are stolen, real families go without food,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “That is unacceptable. My office will continue pursuing these cases to safeguard the integrity of the program and uphold the trust placed in us to protect Oregon’s communities.”

“This organized criminal scheme not only resulted in the loss of food assistance benefits for needy families whose EBT card data was skimmed or otherwise stolen. Egregiously, the corrupt enterprise also placed public health and safety—including of babies—at risk by selling products like infant formula on the black market,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk. “I commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office, USDA OIG special agents and our law enforcement partners for disrupting this dangerous scheme and bringing the fraudsters to face justice.” (READ MORE)

 

UPDATE: A 35-year-old man accused of kidnapping a 10-year-old girl and beating her sister with a hammer will remain in jail with no bail, a Clackamas County judge ruled Thursday.

Prosecutors say Vince Edgar Chavez broke into an apartment in Canby early Wednesday morning, hit a 12-year-old girl in the head multiple times with a hammer, and took her 10-year-old sister. Investigators later found the younger child bound with duct tape inside a duffle bag at an Oregon City house, where Chavez was taken into custody. Chavez faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, and first-degree sexual abuse.

Vince Edgar Chavez appeared in Clackamas County Circuit Court facing charges of first-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of first-degree sodomy, first-degree burglary, second-degree assault, and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon.

The attack started around 1:39 a.m. Wednesday when someone broke into a home at the Orchards Apartments on Southeast Township Road. The girls’ mother was home at the time and called 911.

During the break-in, the 12-year-old sister was hit in the head repeatedly with a hammer until she was knocked unconscious, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Owen. She remains in the hospital, and Owen did not comment on her current condition.

Investigators tracked Chavez to an Oregon City house by following his white van and tracking his phone. Tactical teams, including the U.S. Marshals Service, found the 10-year-old girl Wednesday afternoon inside the home near Pleasant Avenue and Sommer Street, bound with duct tape inside a duffle bag.

Chavez, who was renting a room at the Oregon City house, tried to run out the back before officers took him into custody. Authorities questioned several other people at the home, but Chavez is the only person facing charges.

The 10-year-old girl was taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation and care. Owen did not comment on the extent of her injuries.

“Law enforcement acted quickly and decisively and without hesitation to locate that vehicle, as well as by tracking his phone and putting him to that particular residence and rescuing that little girl,” Owen said. “We’re confident in our case but just being confident in your case doesn’t fix what happened to these kids.”

The Circuit Judge granted prosecutors’ request to hold Chavez without bail at the Clackamas County Jail. Chavez is scheduled to enter a plea November 5.

 

Two helicopters collied near McMinnville Airport

One of the helicopters involved in this afternoon’s crash appears to be N704RH, an Airbus AS350 B3 single-engine helicopter registered to VALIAIR LC Trustee out of Casper, Wyoming.

Flight tracking data shows that helicopter dropping off radar at the crash site. This has not been officially confirmed.

The second helicopter has not been identified at this time. Scanner traffic earlier indicated three people may have died. Officials have not released any information on the people involved.

OR 233 remains closed about a mile west of Dayton near the airport. Expect an extended closure and use an alternate route. Check TripCheck.com for updates. We’ll keep updating as confirmed details come in.

UPDATE: Fire at Pacific Seafood in Newport

New photos show the extensive damage left behind by Sunday’s devastating fire at Pacific Seafood’s freezing facility along Newport’s Historic Bayfront. Fire crews extinguished the blaze around 6 p.m. Sunday, October 25. The building sustained severe damage, including structural collapse.

Here’s what we know as of October 28:

• All employees inside the building were safely evacuated, and no employee injuries were reported.

• Officials confirmed there is no ongoing threat of ammonia contamination to the community.

• Pacific Seafood reports that its other Newport facilities are operating normally, with seafood processing continuing and fishing boats still able to offload their catches.

• Most Bayfront businesses have reopened, but the immediate area around the damaged building remains closed to traffic and pedestrians while cleanup and the investigation continue.

• The Oregon State Fire Marshal is leading the investigation into the cause of the fire, which has not yet been determined.Although the damage is extensive, the fact that the fire was contained to one building is significant news for Newport’s fishing industry and working waterfront.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this devastating incident, and a huge thank-you to the firefighters and emergency crews who worked to protect the community.

A devastating fire broke out yesterday morning, Sunday, October 25, 2026, at the Pacific Seafood processing plant located at 213 Southwest Bay Boulevard along the historic Newport Bayfront. The fire has resulted in major property losses and triggered extensive community evacuations due to toxic smoke and initial chemical leak fears.

It has made the national news for severity and also loss of the historic relevance in our coastal town.

Here is a breakdown of the critical details regarding the incident, the current safety situation, and area closures: Incident Details & Casualties

• Origin: The blaze was reported just before 9:00 AM on Sunday in a freezer building at the Pacific Seafood – Newport plant.
• Evacuations: Between 30 and 40 employees were working inside the building when the fire started; thankfully, all employees evacuated safely.
• Injuries: No civilian or employee injuries have been reported, though one firefighter was hospitalized and treated for exhaustion.
• Damage: Company officials have stated they expect the facility to be a “major loss”. Neighbors like Local Ocean Seafoods safely evacuated their own staff, with some team members displaced from nearby homes.

Current Evacuation Zones & Hazards

• Ammonia Risk Mitigated: Initial Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations were broadly issued across the waterfront due to the risk of an anhydrous ammonia tank leak. Hazardous materials crews successfully mitigated the tank leak threat by Sunday afternoon, significantly shrinking the evacuation boundary.
• Toxic Smoke Advisory: The primary health concern has shifted to toxic smoke blanketing the immediate vicinity. Officials reduced the evacuation zone to a localized few-block radius directly impacted by the heavy smoke plume.

Local Closures & Infrastructure Impact

• Road Closures: Bay Boulevard remains completely closed to traffic between Hatfield Drive and Port Dock One. Emergency management officials ask the public to stay clear of the area so crews can maintain access.
• Facility Closures: The Newport Aquarium shut its doors for the remainder of the day on Sunday due to the unfolding emergency. Surrounding businesses along the Newport Historic Bayfront remain heavily disrupted.
• Hospital Open: The Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital has remained open and unaffected by the closures.

Pacific seafood reel aftermath   https://www.facebook.com/reel/1130925186092463

https://www.facebook.com/100065077170486/videos/pcb.1519996350179590/1121143440391219

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Nonprofits Serving the Bend Community Receive $100,000 in Grants Following Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting

Oregon Community Foundation’s Rapid Response Fund supports eight organizations serving students, families and the broader community

BEND, Ore. ─ In the two weeks following the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School, Oregonians have responded with an outpouring of generosity, compassion and a commitment to help the Bend community heal.

Oregon Community Foundation has awarded $100,000 in a first round of grants from its Rapid Response Fund to eight organizations supporting students, families and others affected by the tragedy.

Grant recipients include:

• Bend-La Pine Education Foundation — $5,000
• Better Together Central Oregon — $15,000
• Central Oregon Disability Support Network — $20,000
• High Desert Education Service District — $10,000
• Lines for Life Central Oregon YouthLine — $10,000
• Silver Rail Elementary PTO — $5,000
• The BEAM — $20,000
• The Open Arts Center — $15,000

Total awarded: $100,000

The grants are supported by donations from individuals, businesses and foundations from across Oregon and beyond. Contributors included major gifts from the Portland Thorns, the Starbucks Foundation and the Les Schwab Foundation, as well as hundreds of donors who gave as little as $25.

Together, those donors demonstrated that every contribution matters. Their generosity reflects a broader commitment to standing with Bend and helping families, students and educators recover from an unimaginable loss.

“Oregon Community Foundation serves communities in every corner of our state, but this tragedy hit especially close to home,” said Lisa Mensah, President and CEO of Oregon Community Foundation. “Our Bend office is just a few miles from Silver Rail Elementary School, and many of our staff, volunteers and partners have personal connections to the families affected. We have seen neighbors helping neighbors, businesses stepping up and people from across Oregon giving what they can to support this community. That’s what makes Oregon special. In moments of heartbreak, we come together.”

The Rapid Response Fund supports urgent community needs that require a coordinated charitable response. Following the shooting, OCF worked with local leaders and nonprofit partners to identify where funding could have the greatest impact.

The trusted nonprofit organizations in this initial round of grants have a proven track record of serving Central Oregon residents and will continue supporting recovery efforts in the months ahead. As many have already, donors can also choose to support them directly through individual donations.

“These grants represent more than financial support,” Mensah said. “They are a reminder to families, students and educators that people across Oregon care deeply about this community and want to help. From gifts of $25 to major contributions from businesses and foundations, every donation became part of something larger than itself.”

Separately, the family of Megan Lambert established a fund at Oregon Community Foundation to honor the special education teacher’s life and legacy. The Megan Lambert Memorial Fund will support causes that reflect Megan’s values and interests, including education, mental health, services for children with special needs and Oregon schools.

About Oregon Community Foundation — Since 1973, Oregon Community Foundation has worked to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. Working with donors, volunteers and nonprofit partners, OCF invests in communities throughout the state through grants, scholarships and charitable funds. Learn more at oregoncf.org.

Governor Tina Kotek has ordered the state to fast-track school and employment resources to the Bend-LaPine School District, a week and a half after a shooting at a Bend elementary school left four and the shooter dead

At a press conference on Monday, Kotek said she has dispatched workers from various state agencies to help the central Oregon district apply for federal grants, assist staff in obtaining paid leave benefits and quickly process background checks for educators, substitute teachers and crisis counselors.

Kotek also issued an executive order on Monday, directing the state’s education and emergency management agencies to further assist the district and the High Desert Education Service District. That aid could come in the form of changing instructional time requirements or other administrative changes, according to a copy of the order.

Key State Initiatives & Actions

• Executive Order 26-28: Declares a state of emergency to streamline local recovery and provide administrative flexibility.
• State Agency Deployment: Dispatched workers from the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to help coordinate recovery, assist with federal grant applications, and process background checks for crisis counselors, educators, and substitute teachers.
• Administrative Waivers: Authorizes ODE to grant waivers—such as adjusting instructional time requirements—to support immediate and long-term educational recovery.
• Emergency Funding Request: Working with legislative leadership to identify immediate financial support through the Emergency Board in December (bridging the gap while the district waits for federal Project SERV reimbursements) to cover substitute teachers, building repairs, and support services.
• Paid Leave & Staff Support: Fast-tracking employment resources and assistance for staff to obtain paid leave benefits.
• Active-Threat Training: Expanding active-threat training opportunities across the region over a three-month period through the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.
• Gun Storage & Prevention: Working with school districts across Oregon to distribute safe gun storage information while evaluating state gun violence prevention laws.

“The community is hurting, their needs are immediate, and the recovery will take time,” Kotek said Monday. “We shouldn’t wait to invest in this community’s recovery.”

Kaylub Giamanco recalls the events immediately after he followed the 16-year-old shooter into Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend in an exclusive interview with OPB.

Warning: This story contains graphic details.Three children — ages 5, 8 and 11 — and a 25-year-old teacher were killed on Oct. 15. Two others were seriously wounded.

Giamanco pursued and fatally shot the teenage shooter with a personal weapon he stored in his truck.In an emotional interview, Giamanco described seeing the boy with a weapon entering the elementary school where he had earlier dropped his two young daughters off for school picture day.

He said he made a split-second decision to pursue the shooter. He described it as the scariest day of his entire life, and said he’s thinking of the victims’ families, wishing he could have saved their loved ones. — Read more and watch the interview on OPB.org.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office reported that 204 individuals have signed up to begin the process of obtaining a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) following the Oct. 15, 2026, shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend.

Key details reported by the sheriff’s office and local media include:

• Number of Applications: 204 people started the CHL application process in the week following the shooting, which is double the number of new CHL applications recorded for the entire quarter ending in July 2026.
• New Training Class: In response to the high demand, the sheriff’s office scheduled an additional CHL training class for Saturday, November 14, 2026 (with 45 spots available).
• Sheriff’s Statement: Sheriff Ty Rupert noted that historical trends show increased interest in concealed handgun licenses following major community-impact incidents.

The Oregon Public Utility Commission has sanctioned Avista’s annual purchased gas adjustment (PGA) filing, leading to revised customer rates that will take effect on October 31, 2026.

This adjustment is designed to align customer rates with the actual wholesale costs of natural gas that Avista procures for service delivery.

The Oregon Public Utility Commission approved an 8.5% rate increase for Avista residential customers, adding roughly $5.83 per month for a typical household using 45 therms.

Key Details of the Avista Adjustment:

• Effective Date: October 31, 2026
• Service Area: Affects approximately 106,500 natural gas customers in southwest and northeast Oregon.
• Reason for Change: The annual Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) updates customer rates to reflect actual wholesale natural gas costs, true-up projections from the previous year, required accounting adjustments, and the expiration of prior-year amortizations. These costs are passed through directly to customers without a utility markup.
• Timing: The rate adjustment takes effect one day before Oregon’s winter rate hike restrictions begin under the FAIR Energy Act.

Managing Your Energy Costs — You can explore energy-saving tips and available customer rebates through the Energy Trust of Oregon. For billing questions or payment assistance options, visit the Avista Utilities Website.

Oregon is looking at new rules for the three-nautical-mile-wide ribbon of ocean that runs along the length of the coast.

This offshore ribbon is managed under Oregon’s Territorial Sea Plan and covers issues as varied as undersea cables, fishing and renewable energies. But the plan is more than 30 years old and doesn’t consider emerging issues like climate change and ocean acidification.

“It’s high time to take a look at the foundational chapters of the Territorial Sea Plan and update them,” said Joe Liebezeit, the chair of the Ocean Policy Advisory Council.

So the Oregon Department of State Lands has asked the Ocean Policy Advisory Council to review the sea plan in an effort to strengthen protections for Oregon’s marine ecosystem and ensure Oregonians get fair compensation for the use of the seafloor.

From the ‘Beach Bill’ to a bigger plan — Oregon’s coastal management system is relatively recent. The first protections stretch back to 1967 and the “Beach Bill,” when lawmakers decided the public owns the shore between low and high tide.

It was only in 1994 that concern about offshore drilling and foreign fishing prompted the state to develop the Territorial Sea Plan.

Duncan Berry, the vice chair of the Ocean Policy Advisory Council, said Oregon has proved relatively good at protecting land over the years, but the ocean seems like an afterthought.

“I call it ‘terrestrially chauvinistic,’ he said.

“We really think about the places we walk and visit and live, and very few of us go to the ocean for other than just occasional recreational purposes.”

The plan has five basic parts:

• rocky habitat management, because that’s where a lot of the fish live;
• seafloor uses, like pipelines and communication cables;
• renewable energies, for example wind and wave farms;
• resource decisions, like fishing and tribal consultation;
• and overall ocean management, like legal authority.

But the sea plan was put together in 1994, and Lieberzeit said a lot of things have changed since then.

“We live in a time now of climate change, which was not taken into account when the Territorial Sea Plan was originally written,” Liebezeit said.

“We all know things about ocean acidification, hypoxia, all these kinds of impacts from a warming ocean that we’re really concerned about.”

The advisory council will start by reviewing the first two parts of the Territorial Sea Plan — ocean management and resource use decisions. The council is composed of people who work with the ocean on a regular basis, like commercial fishing groups, tribal members and offshore wind interests.THANKS TO OUR 

“We’re going to take the input from 100-some-odd community members, our own OPAC members, and meeting with each of the agencies that historically have worked with OPAC,” Berry said.

Liebezeit and Berry are trying to set things up so discussions don’t end up simply as battles between environmentalists and businesses. Instead, Liebezeit said, they see the review as a visioning moment.

“I think it’s more like: ‘Hey, let’s get everybody together, all the different community partners and figure out what we envision is important for the ocean for the next five to 10 years,’” said Liebezeit.

Delving into the details — But while visioning is an important part of any plan, inevitably people have to delve into details and things get difficult.

For example, offshore wind. In 2024, the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management tried to lease two large wind farms off Coos Bay and Brookings. Fishing and other interests came out against the idea.

“We were all opposed to the speed at which things were moving,” said Heather Mann, the executive director of the Midwater Trawler’s Cooperative in Newport.

In the end, the wind energy auction was canceled.

“It wasn’t that we were necessarily opposed to offshore wind,” said Mann. “It’s just that there were so many questions.”

Questions like: How might a wind farm affect fishing? Or whale migration? Mann wonders whether it is even possible to anchor a 1,000-foot-tall floating wind turbine in such deep waters.

“You know we can’t create a weather buoy that doesn’t break off. So having those machines out there, there was really no understanding of what could potentially happen,” Mann said.

Ross Tyler was on the other side of the offshore wind debate in 2024. He owns Offshore Renewable Energy International, a Virginia-based company that specializes in developing offshore wind. He thinks Southern Oregon has great wind potential, and that Coos Bay would be great for fabricating big offshore wind components.

He hopes that, as Oregon reviews the sea plan, leaders reach out.

“If they’re going to change the regulations, they should not do it in a vacuum,” said Tyler. “They really need to have consultation with the offshore wind industry.”

So, a review of the Territorial Sea Plan is likely to be difficult. In addition to wind power, eventually it’ll have to address all kinds of difficult subjects, like climate change, wave power, a possible liquified natural gas terminal, ocean acidification and ocean hypoxia, which is low oxygen conditions.

But despite all those potential battles, Mann and many others are supportive of the review of the Territorial Sea Plan.

“I think as long as it’s transparent. It’s done the Oregon Way and people are able to participate in that process, then it’s good,” Mann said.

The Ocean Policy Advisory Commission is scheduled to meet up to nine times between now and next August to come up with recommendations. (SOURCE)

Oregon Department of Human Services  · Medicare Open Enrollment for 2027 plans will remain open through Dec. 7, 2026.

The Oregon Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance Program (SHIBA) provides free help so that you can understand your Medicare benefits and make informed decisions. For example, SHIBA certified counselors can help you:- Compare and select Medicare plans- Review your current coverage- Make changes for the upcoming year.“Navigating Medicare coverage is complex and Oregonians should not have to navigate Medicare alone.

Our goal is to make that process easy, accessible, and free.” – ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities Director Nakeshia Knight, Ph.D.Read more in this news release: https://apps.oregon.gov/…/oregon-program-offers-free…

Explore Health launches tool to help people navigate health coverage options for 2027

Plan Guide will help people in Oregon find financial help, compare health plans.

— People in Oregon can now get an early look at their health coverage options for 2027 with the launch of the Explore Health Plan Guide, a new online tool designed to help people prepare for Open Enrollment.

The Plan Guide helps users explore individual health and dental plans available in their area and compare costs, benefits and coverage. Users can also enter their prescription medications and doctors to see which plans may best meet their health needs.

The tool provides an assessment for potential eligibility for Oregon Health Plan (OHP) benefits and financial help through the Marketplace, including an estimate of the amount of financial assistance someone may qualify for.

“Choosing health insurance can feel overwhelming, especially when plans and coverage options are changing,” said Chiqui Flowers, director of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. “The Plan Guide gives you a chance to explore options before Open Enrollment begins so you can better understand what coverage and financial help may be available.”

The new tool is especially timely for 2027. Providence and PacificSource will no longer offer individual health plans in Oregon, and Moda will  only be available in select counties. The Plan Guide can help people affected by these changes understand which plans are available in their area and compare their options before selecting coverage.

Explore Health is available for people in Oregon who do not have access to affordable health coverage through their job and are not eligible for public medical programs such as the Oregon Health Plan.

Open Enrollment for 2027 health coverage runs from Nov. 1, 2026 to Jan. 15, 2027. The Plan Guide is available now to help people explore their options ahead of Open Enrollment. Using the tool does not enroll someone in coverage.

Explore Health is Oregon’s new state-based health insurance marketplace. Starting with the 2027 plan year, eligible individuals and families will be able to use Explore Health to shop for and enroll in Marketplace health coverage.

To explore the Plan Guide or learn more about Open Enrollment, visit ExploreHealthOR.gov. People in Oregon can also make an appointment with an Enrollment Partner for help understanding their options and enrolling in coverage.

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DFR warns of “self-funded” limited-partner health plans

The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) is warning consumers to carefully review health insurance coverage offered through “self-funded” limited-partner plans or other unlicensed entities.

Oregonians should exercise caution before enrolling in a limited partner plan. Companies may offer plans that refer to consumers as “limited partners” or “employees” to avoid Oregon consumer-protection regulations. Many limited partner plans cover only preventive care, such as check-ups and annual health screenings. The plans tempt consumers with promises of low premium costs. However, consumers often end up with higher out-of-pocket costs due to uncovered medical bills. With open enrollment rapidly approaching, it is important to know what the difference is between these plans and standard plans. Open enrollment, which begins Nov. 1 and goes through Jan. 15, is for those who do not get insurance through their job, Medicare, or the Oregon Health Plan.

DFR warned of these plans back in April. They are not compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and do not provide comprehensive medical coverage, although they may be marketed otherwise. This leaves consumers with the possibility of being unexpectedly responsible for unpaid medical bills. Individual health plans that comply with the ACA are available only through a licensed insurance agent or through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. Consumers should pay close attention to ensure that they are on the “.gov” website as there are other websites with similar web addresses that offer non-ACA-compliant plans.

“Consumers should remember the adage that if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is,” said Oregon Insurance Commissioner TK Keen. “If a health insurance policy offers unusually low premiums and low deductibles yet promises full or unlimited coverage, be skeptical.”

Red flags to look for include:

• A salesperson marketing limited partner plans or other “ERISA plans” directly to consumers
• A salesperson claiming they do not need a license because their product is not insurance or is exempt from regulation
• A salesperson offering to sign you up outside open enrollment and without eligibility for a special enrollment period
• A health insurance plan seeming abnormally cheap or referencing “stop-loss” insurance
• A group issuing coverage with minimal requests about an applicant’s health
• A company attempting to quickly collect a large amount of premium
• A company delaying or denying claims and making excuses for failure to pay

Before providing an insurance sales agent with any payment or personal information, DFR encourages consumers to request the agent’s full name and National Producer Number. Consumers can verify the agent’s licensure status by visiting DFR’s check a license webpage.

DFR urges Oregonians to be careful when choosing a company to purchase health care coverage from. Organizations and health plans that DFR and other state regulators have identified as having marketed limited partner or self-funded coverage include:

• Socios Buenos, LP aka Vista Health
• Affordable Benefit Choices LLC
• LP Management Services, LLC
• Aither Healthcare Competitive Health
• NXT Level Health
• Multiplan PHCS Network
• Verdegard Administrators, LLC fka Hawaii Mainland Administrators, LLC
• Pioneer Health/Innovative Healthcare Solutions
• ClearShare Health and Clearwater Benefits LLC
• Emergency Management Alliance
• Premier Health Solutions
• Strategic Limited Partners, LP
• The Vitamin Patch, LLC

Consumers who believe they may have been deceived or have questions can contact our consumer advocates at 1-888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email .insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov“>dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.

About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

ODVA invites Oregonians to Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony Nov. 11 at Capitol

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs invites Oregonians to join in honoring all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces at the Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Oregon State Capitol State Park in Salem.

The annual ceremony will feature remarks from state leaders and special guests, along with traditional ceremonial elements honoring the service and sacrifice of Oregon veterans. Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.

The ceremony will be held on the Capitol Mall, directly across Court Street from the front entrance of the Oregon State Capitol. The event is free and open to the public and will also be livestreamed on ODVA’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/odvavet.

Statewide Veterans Day Events — ODVA also maintains a Statewide Veterans Day Events Calendar highlighting local observances and community celebrations throughout Oregon. To find an event near you, visit oregondva.com/event-calendar.

Organizations hosting Veterans Day events are encouraged to submit their event for inclusion on the calendar using the “Add Your Event” link on that page.

If you have any questions, please contact ODVA at (800) 692-9666 or visit www.oregon.gov/odva.

Established in 1945, the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is dedicated to serving Oregon’s diverse veteran community that spans five eras of service members. ODVA administers programs and provides special advocacy and assistance in accessing earned veteran benefits across the state. Learn about veteran benefits and services, or locate a local county or Tribal veteran service office online at oregon.gov/odva.

Stay Alive Vets to Host 6th Annual Gala on Veterans Day in Salem- Silver Star recipient Matthew Zedwick to keynote evening honoring veterans and supporting veteran suicide prevention

SALEM, Ore. –(October 13, 2026)  Stay Alive Vets (SAV) will bring veterans, families, and community supporters together on Veterans Day for the 6th Annual Stay Alive Vets Gala, an evening dedicated to honoring those who have served while raising awareness and support for efforts to prevent veteran suicide.
 

The gala will be held Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Salem Convention Center, 200 Commercial St. SE in Salem. The evening will feature dinner, a keynote address, veteran recognition, and live music from The Denominators. 

This year’s keynote speaker is Sergeant Matthew W. Zedwick, a U.S. Army veteran who was awarded the Silver Star for acts of gallantry during combat operations in Iraq. 

“Veterans Day is a time to honor those who have served, but honoring our veterans also means being there for them when they come home and making sure they know they are not alone,” said Angela Plowhead, Air Force veteran and board president of Stay Alive Vets. “Our gala brings people together to celebrate the strength and sacrifice of our veteran community while supporting programs that provide hope, connection and help when it is needed most.” 

The sixth annual gala will also provide an opportunity for guests to learn more about the programs Stay Alive Vets supports to address veteran suicide in Oregon and throughout the Pacific Northwest. 

“Having Matthew Zedwick join us on Veterans Day makes this year’s event especially meaningful,” Plowhead said. “His story reflects courage, service and an extraordinary commitment to others. That same spirit of looking out for one another is at the heart of our work. We want veterans and their families to know that they have a community standing beside them.”

Registration and Tickets

• Tickets: $60/person or host a table of 10 for $600. Purchase here.
• Veteran Tickets: Veterans and families can request their complimentary tickets on VetTix.
• Sponsorship Opportunities:   Buy Sponsorships — Stay Alive Vets: SAV Annual 
• The group is also accepting silent and oral auction items. Contact angela@stayalivevets.org to donate.

Community members are invited to dress up, dine and celebrate while supporting and honoring Oregon’s veteran community on Veterans Day. Additional event information is available at Home | Stay Alive Vets. 

About Stay Alive Vets: Stay Alive Veterans (SAV) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and uplifting the veteran community by addressing the pressing issue of veteran suicide. Operated by veterans for veterans, SAV is uniquely positioned to understand and respond to the complex challenges that veterans face after their service. The organization is driven by a deep commitment to ensuring that every veteran has access to the resources they need to lead fulfilling lives after their military careers.

 

Pacific Power offers Oregon customers rebates for backup power 

Program helps eligible customers prepare for wildfire-related outages and winter storms 

With a record-setting wildfire season that brought power disruptions to communities across Oregon winding down, Pacific Power is reminding eligible customers about rebates that can help them prepare for future outage events. As our focus transitions to winter storm season, qualified customers and licensed care facilities can still get help purchasing backup power equipment.

Income-qualified residential customers who rely on electricity for medical equipment can receive a rebate of up to $1,000, and eligible licensed residential care homes, care facilities, adult foster homes and hospices can qualify for up to $4,000 in rebates. These rebates can be used toward a qualified portable power station, battery or permanent backup generator.

“We prioritize emergency preparedness education and communication in our communities so our customers are prepared in the event an outage whether related to wildfire safety or seasonal storms,” said Carrie Laird, vice president of wildfire mitigation and emergency operations for Pacific Power. “We want eligible customers and care facilities to know this assistance is available and encourage them to apply before the upcoming deadlines so that they can take advantage of these helpful programs, which can offer peace of mind.”

To qualify for the residential rebate, applicants need to have an active Pacific Power account number, either as a customer or as the tenant of a Pacific Power customer. They also have to be enrolled in both Pacific Power’s Medical Certificate program and Oregon Low Income Discount program. Eligible customers should select backup power equipment from the program’s qualified product list and meet applicable requirements, which are spelled out in detail on our website.

Licensed care facilities also have to have an active Pacific Power account number, either directly or through a Pacific Power customer whose property they occupy. Eligible facilities include licensed residential care homes, care facilities, adult foster homes and hospices.

Eligible equipment must be purchased by December 31, 2026, and Pacific Power must receive the completed application and purchase receipt by January 31, 2027. Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis until the program’s annual funding is fully used.

Pacific Power launched the Oregon Backup Electric Power Rebate Program in 2023. Since then, the company has issued 421 rebates totaling more than $1.2 million.

The program is also helping communities strengthen their backup power readiness. In 2025, Linn County identified eligible care facilities and encouraged them to invest in backup power. Twenty-seven facilities received rebates of $4,000 each, for a total of $108,000. A batch application process is now available for jurisdictions submitting applications for multiple facilities.

Customers with questions about batch applications for multiple care facilities may email Generator@resource-innovations.com“>PacPowerGenerator@resource-innovations.com.

 

Check out Oregon State Parks with your library card

Borrow an Oregon State Parks parking permit for free at 82 libraries statewide.

– Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (ORPD) and the State Library of Oregon are partnering to offer free state parks parking permits to Oregon public libraries. There are currently 200 parking permits available at 82 libraries across the state.

“Oregon’s state parks are for everyone,” said OPRD deputy director JR Collier. “As we assess ways to manage our budget responsibly, we also want to uplift equitable access to our parks.”

Each participating library received up to four parking permits. These are the physical hang tags you check out from the library and put in your car. The permit covers parking in all Oregon State Parks day-use areas for one vehicle. Go to the Oregon State Parks website to find participating libraries. All you need to participate is your library card.

“Libraries help make life more affordable for Oregonians. This program leverages the existing borrowing system to help connects folks of all income levels with the beauty and splendor of Oregon’s State Parks,” said Wendy Cornelisen, State Librarian.

Both OPRD and the State Library contributed 100 parking permits to the program to distribute to libraries. The agencies determined how many passes each library would receive based on interest from the library, its proximity to a park charging a day use fee, and the size of the population it serves. The State Library purchased permits with Library Services and Technology Act funds from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

OPRD first distributed parking permits to 28 libraries as part of a year-long pilot program starting in August 2024. Those passes were checked out more than 2,100 times. At the pilot’s conclusion, OPRD evaluated how to best move the program forward in the context of its changing fees. In 2027, OPRD and the State Library will continue to explore options for an expanded long-term program that will serve even more libraries and people in Oregon. Learn more about the OPRD Library Pass Program.

Statewide hotline available for Oregonians affected by wildfires and smoke

People anywhere in Oregon who have been affected by wildfires or wildfire-related air quality can call 1-833-699-0554 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The statewide hotline is available to people experiencing any wildfire-related impact, including those who:

• Lost a home or property
• Evacuated and have ongoing needs
• Are sheltering in place and have wildfire-related needs
• Are affected by wildfire smoke or poor air quality
• Have another need or concern caused by a wildfire

“During this difficult wildfire season, Oregonians impacted by fires deserve immediate and reliable access to the help they need,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “That’s why we’ve established a dedicated, 24/7 hotline – so that no Oregonian has to navigate this wildfire season alone or wonder where to turn to for help.”

The hotline is staffed by 211info. If a call is not answered, callers can leave a message and will receive a return call within one business day.

This hotline does not provide emergency evacuation assistance or help people locate immediate shelter. People who are in immediate danger, have a medical emergency, or need emergency help evacuating should call 911. People looking for information about shelters or other immediate resources can call 2-1-1. For current 211info operating hours, visit 211info.org.

People can also enter their contact information and describe their wildfire-related needs using the Oregon Wildfire Assistance web form. An ODHS staff member will review the information and follow up with them.

“This wildfire season is already affecting a growing number of Oregon Tribes and communities,” said Ed Flick, Director, ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management. “Wildfires can affect people in many ways, even when their homes have not burned. We want people to know there is one place they can call to share what they are experiencing and learn what resources may be available.”

In previous years the hotline has been used to connect people who lost homes in disasters with recovery support. This year, the Oregon Department of Human Services is expanding it to people experiencing a broader range of wildfire impacts.

ODHS has informally coordinated individual assistance following Oregon disasters since 2020. This year, Governor Tina Kotek directed ODHS to be ready to formally activate individual assistance when needed as the state prepares to establish a formal program in 2027 under House Bill 4121.

211info and ODHS will work with local communities to connect people with existing programs and local resources. If those resources are not enough to meet the level of need, ODHS will work with state leaders to identify additional support and funding options.

The hotline does not guarantee financial assistance or eligibility for a particular program. Staff will listen to each caller’s experience, document their needs and help identify available resources and next steps.

Hotline information

• Call: 1-833-699-0554
• Available: 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• Missed calls: Leave a message and your call will be returned within one business day
• Shelter and other immediate resource questions: call 211
• Emergencies or emergency evacuation help: call 911

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 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.  

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 Call us at 5 41-363-7503  Or email us at Info@RogueValleyMagazine.com